Daily Bread 2011 - Acts 25
Festus Consults King Agrippa
13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
What Does This Mean?
We see Paul being transferred upward in the line of authority, because he was a Roman citizen. And in each step of the way it paves the way for an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. At each step of the way those in charge are trying to find a way to substantiate the charges against Paul, but the only claim of contention is Paul’s teaching which in their words is, “about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed to be alive.”
It is obvious that the reality of whom they were talking about (the Son of God) had not become apparent to the new governor Festus. The next day King Agrippa (the King of Judea) and his wife, Bernice came with great pomp and circumstance and curious at this point exclaims, “I would like to hear this man myself.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
We see again today how Paul journeys are bringing him close and closer to Rome which was his goal from the beginning. Although it was a circuitous route, God uses his twists and turns as opportunities for him to testify before kings and queens. As the famous saying goes, “Wherever you go there you are.”
Oftentimes we relegate ministry to things that happen at church, and yet the calling of the church is to go out into the world and share the good news wherever God leads us. Every day, every interaction, every person we run into is an opportunity for God to use us. Paul’s motto in 1 Corinthians should be our guide, “I become all things to all people so that I might win some for Christ.”
Pray for those in authority and who govern our land that they might be open to hearing the Gospel and be given a new power to execute their authority with godly wisdom.
Dear Jesus, we know that no one has power in the world apart from your delegating it to them. We pray for our rulers and authorities that they might learn where their true power comes from and govern wisely using your wisdom, not the wisdom of the world. Amen.
13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
What Does This Mean?
We see Paul being transferred upward in the line of authority, because he was a Roman citizen. And in each step of the way it paves the way for an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. At each step of the way those in charge are trying to find a way to substantiate the charges against Paul, but the only claim of contention is Paul’s teaching which in their words is, “about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed to be alive.”
It is obvious that the reality of whom they were talking about (the Son of God) had not become apparent to the new governor Festus. The next day King Agrippa (the King of Judea) and his wife, Bernice came with great pomp and circumstance and curious at this point exclaims, “I would like to hear this man myself.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
We see again today how Paul journeys are bringing him close and closer to Rome which was his goal from the beginning. Although it was a circuitous route, God uses his twists and turns as opportunities for him to testify before kings and queens. As the famous saying goes, “Wherever you go there you are.”
Oftentimes we relegate ministry to things that happen at church, and yet the calling of the church is to go out into the world and share the good news wherever God leads us. Every day, every interaction, every person we run into is an opportunity for God to use us. Paul’s motto in 1 Corinthians should be our guide, “I become all things to all people so that I might win some for Christ.”
Pray for those in authority and who govern our land that they might be open to hearing the Gospel and be given a new power to execute their authority with godly wisdom.
Dear Jesus, we know that no one has power in the world apart from your delegating it to them. We pray for our rulers and authorities that they might learn where their true power comes from and govern wisely using your wisdom, not the wisdom of the world. Amen.
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