Day 211: Psalms 56-58; Acts 28:1-16

'Rome at Last' reads the paragraph heading in the CSB (Acts 28:11-16). Whoever wrote that must have smiled as they added the caption. Yes, this was the end destination of the promise of God, and the hope Paul expressed to the Roman Christians, though I am certain in that letter he was not anticipating imprisonment. Yes, you're sharp! You read that he was allowed to stay alone, well, not entirely. He was guarded by a Roman soldier. Paul had proven himself through his imprisonment in Palestine and on the journey. So much so, that when the soldiers anticipating shipwreck wanted to save their hides, they planned to kill all the prisoners (Acts 27:42), not an uncommon practice. The Centurion would have none of it. To save Paul, he saved them all. He had been with Paul in Caesarea and had, no doubt, been exposed to the Gospel in word and deed. He knew Paul was for real, and he must be important, for he had influence with Supernatural Power. The other prisoners were shipped off once in Rome, but Paul was placed in 'rented quarters' (AMP) under 'house arrest' (The Voice). Rome at last. No doubt it was a huge improvement on a Roman jail, but even so, commentary says that he was chained to his guard 24/7, and, political prisoners got a new guard every day. Tomorrow we'll read that Paul wasted no time connecting with people to share the Gospel. We know that he had such great success with the 'new daily' soldiers that he got access to the Praetorium (Caesar's guards). When in Rome...keep on mission! Even Rome is on God's radar, for He is not willing that any should perish, but that everyone may hear the Great Good News: there is One Who is Greater than any emperor, and He is the Savior of the world!