And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: "Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain." Acts 28:17-20

Shortly after arriving in Rome (three days) Paul contacted the Jewish leaders in there. Paul was likely well known to Jewish leaders in the capital city—if not as a prestigious Pharisee, then as a defector to Christianity. He couldn’t go to them, so apparently they came to him. Paul addressed these men as “Men and brethren.”

Interestingly and graciously, Paul did not mention the names of any of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem of Caesarea who mistreated him rashly. Though it might have felt good to blast those men, it was unnecessary, so Paul refrained. He simply stated that he was innocent of the crimes of which he was accused and that he appealed his case to Caesar. He didn’t even mention his prized Roman citizenship!

He appealed to the Jewish leaders in Rome to be his allies in the matter—though they were not allies in the Gospel. Paul loved the Jewish people. He did not want them to be placed in a bad light with the Roman authorities because of these legal matters.

May we too, love the non-believing people all around us, not wanting them to expericnce harm, while wanting them to know Christ.