Paul's first recorded action upon arriving in Rome is to seek out the leaders of the Jews and have a meeting with them. Both his action and his words tell us a lot about this man and about the good news of the gospel. After all, Paul has spent the last two years in prison as a direct result of Jewish action against him. Yet the animosity shown by this group doesn't prevent him from following his practice of preaching 'to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile'.
His message, on this first day, is to declare that he is 'in chains because of the hope of Israel.'
This simple statement should lead us to ask, 'What does he mean by that, and how did the Jews in Rome understand what he said?' What is the hope of Israel and how can Paul claim that he is a prisoner because of this hope?
As we dig into the writings of Paul, we see that Paul consistently speaks of HOPE in the context of Jesus resurrection, return and rule and our participation in these events. Paul is willing to wear a chain in this world with the sure anticipation of wearing glory in the age to come.
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