Most everyone had a favorite uncle when they were growing up as a child. He was the cool one, or the adventurous one, or the one who took you fishing. One boy in Scripture had what some would call a notorious uncle. He was feared in the community. He was known to bust into houses and cart people off to jail. Later on, some thought he had lost his mind, because he started behaving like those whom he had locked up earlier. The boy's uncle had now become the hunted instead of the hunter, as some of his own people wanted to kill him. The nephew watched as his uncle was dragged off to jail after nearly being beaten to death by a mob. What does the boy think of his uncle now?
Scripture does not reveal much to us about the family of the apostle Paul. It is only in Acts 23 that we read that he was the son of a Pharisee (v. 6), and that his sister's son played a pivotal role in saving his life (vv. 16-22). We do not know if his family was converted to Christianity from Judaism. But obviously, his nephew respected and cared for his uncle. Perhaps he was persuaded by his uncle's preaching of the gospel. Though he is not named, he did what he could to help his uncle, and his actions will forever stand on the pages of Holy Scripture.
Paul was being held in custody by the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, which had actually saved him from being killed by a mob of Jews. While the garrison commander was trying to figure out what to do with Paul, the Jewish leaders organized an assassination plot against him. Paul's nephew heard of their plan and went to where Paul was being held, and told him about it. Paul called one of the centurions and requested that his nephew be brought before the commander. So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you” (Acts 23:18 NKJV). The young man accurately told the commander what the Jews had planned and warned him not to fall for their trap. As a result, the assassination attempt on Paul was foiled.
What will be said of you in eternity? The Bible says that our works will follow us there (Revelation 14:13). These works may not consist of some well-known achievement, but something that still advanced the gospel. Perhaps it may be something we believe to be insignificant, like what Paul's nephew did, but as it turned out, he helped save the life of the man who would go on to write a large portion of the New Testament. Be ready, as you may be the next person who will be able to work a good work for the sake of Christ, as this young man did.
Brotherly, Jamie
