Agrippa – Judy in the Sky

Read Acts 26 – Every reason to share your testimony is a good thing – King Agrippa invites Paul to speak, and he opens with a compliment. Knowing your audience, knowing their starting point of knowledge is very useful.

Paul reviewed his childhood foundation, his resolute belief in the Scriptures and the fact that he is on trial because of his hope in the fulfillment of God’s promises made to their ancestors (:6). He spoke of his original persecution of anyone who believed in Jesus (:9-12)…. Beloved, don’t shy away from the worst thing in your past, the thing that brought you to repentance. God can bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3); let the Holy Spirit use your story to open the eyes of the blind.

Paul shared his incredible road to Damascus experience with Jesus and all the good fruit that resulted from it, circling back to the prophecy found in Scripture (:23). Festus interrupts, calling Paul crazy from too much study. King Agrippa interrupts, asking if Paul is trying to persuade him to become a Christian. Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” :29 And with that, the men, Bernice and all the others stood and left.

How close to salvation were they to have been almost persuaded. What causes a person to get so close and turn away? It is tragic. They left knowing Paul hadn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment, yet because Paul had appealed to Caesar, to Caesar he would go.

Read Acts 25 – The Lord works in mysterious ways – Paul is able to share the Gospel because of the false accusations against him. He has an audience in Festus, the new governor, King Aggripa and his sister, Bernice. Notice all that is recorded in verse :23, “So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.” This was a big show… yet what the accusers meant for evil, God used for good. Paul has appealed to Caesar, as was his right as a Roman citizen, :11. Festus agreed, but couldn’t even articulate what the charge against him was. Our chapter ends with Festus declaring: “For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!” :27. Beloved, when life seems unfair, look for the bigger picture. Look for ways to show God’s goodness and mercy to those around you. May you always have eyes for Jesus.😍