When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near." — Acts 23:12-15

I think most of would say this is pretty devious. But this isn't the first time this has happened to Paul. It's just one of many times. Remember:

Jews plotted to kill him in Damascus (Acts 9:23).
Jews tried to kill him in Jerusalem (Acts 9:29).
Jews drove him out of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50).
Gentiles and Jews tried to stone him in Iconium (Acts 14:5).
Jews chased him down and stoned him in Lystra (Acts 14:19).
Jews attempted to get him arrested in Corinth (Acts 18:12).
Jews in Ephesus plotted to kill him (Acts 20:19).

This is no small effort by Jews. All over the empire, they were after him. But here, we get a little more detail on how far they were willing to go. Forty men are taking a vow bound by fasting until they can kill him.

But notice the contrast. One group of 40-men are so consumed with their mission that they're willing to do anything to preserve it, even if this includes taking someone's life. The other man, Paul, is so consumed with his mission that he is willing to do anything to preserve it, even if this includes giving his life. Do you see the contrast? One party wants to take life. The other party wants to give life. But note this: if the Jews succeed with their plan, they will accomplish their mission — killing Paul. But if the Jews succeed in killing Paul, Paul will accomplish his mission. So the only logical choice for Paul is to live every moment on mission for God, sharing the gospel of a risen Savior and hoping some will believe even if it costs him his life.

This is the same choice we get. Because guess what? We are all going to die—every one of us. Even Jesus died. Death is not a matter that should concern a believer. What should concern us is how we live the life we have. Thus Paul said this from a prison somewhere in Rome at the end of his life.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. — Philippians 1:21

And fellas, it is as simple as that. While you have breath, smile at death and live all in for him, who lived all in for you.

ASK THIS: Are you living more for this life or the next?

DO THIS: Make a sacrifice for Jesus today by speaking an eternal truth to someone.

PRAY THIS: God, may I not be diverted or distracted by the things of this life. My home is with you! Prepare me now for there!

PLAY THIS: Chris Tomlin - Home.

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