Paul’s Opportunity to Face Agrippa & Company
January 20, 2020
Commentary
Paul chained to a Roman soldier, abandoned by the Jerusalem Church, and frail in bodily appearance, (II Cor. 10:10) was brought before Festus, Agrippa and Bernice (v. 23). Festus then ordered Paul to be brought in and told King Agrippa and other guests that Jews from Jerusalem and Caesarea have come to him, demanding that he be put to death (v. 24). I have not found him guilty of any crime deserving death. But because he has asked to be judged by the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome (v. 25). It was evident that Paul is innocent according to Roman laws. Every time his religious liberties had been questioned, Roman courts across the Empire had ruled in his favor. But Paul didn’t complain about his unfair situation of prison or trial. Here was another opportunity to present the Gospel, and he wanted to make the most of the situation, to serve the Lord and share Him with others. Rather than complain about our present situation we need to look for ways to use every opportunity to serve Christ and share Him with others. Our problems may be opportunities in disguise.
The problem Festus faced was a religious one. The most sensible thing for Festus to have done would have been to set Paul free, with a promise that in the future he would stay out of Jerusalem and Judea, then he would have given him a military escort out of the country. However it was too late now, as Paul had already appealed to Caesar. He had no recourse but to send the prisoner to Caesar’s judgment seat. Festus’ dilemma was how to write some facts about this man to the Emperor (v. 26). He brought all of these people and King Agrippa together to help draft a letter. It makes no sense to send a prisoner to the Emperor without stating the charges against him (v. 27).
Application
Like the apostle Paul, I would like for any problems that I may have in life to be turned into opportunities to share the gospel and to reach out to others in need. My situations in life may change but each change will provide new opportunities, and I want to use these for His glory.
Acts 25:23– 27 (NET)
23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience hall, along with the senior military officers and the prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all you who are present here with us, you see this man about whom the entire Jewish populace petitioned me both in Jerusalem and here, shouting loudly that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing that deserved death, and when he appealed to His Majesty the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this preliminary hearing I may have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without clearly indicating the charges against him.”
Illustration: A Missed Opportunity Encouraged a Misdeed
Dr. Jimmy Allen, former pastor of First Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas told the following story. “A dark-skinned little boy sat through Sunday School classes for three years in our church but someone missed the opportunity to reach him. His name was Sirhan Sirhan, and at age 24 he shot and killed Senator Robert Kennedy. We missed him. Our chance to change things came and passed and we did not know it was there.” (Source unknown).