Look Deeper

(Read Acts 25 & 26)

A lot of things look great on surface level. An incredible sale, “quick results,” “instant rebate,” and “no strings attached” are just a few examples. Many times, the saying too good to be true applies when something that appears so beneficial requires no payment or penalty. How can it be? In these two chapters of Acts, we find Paul appearing on trial in front of King Agrippa and Porcious Festus unpacking the reality of the Gospel of Christ.

When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.
Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”
Acts 25:7-8

Festus was the Roman procurator (governor) over Judea who replaced Antonius Felix. He was amazed and astonished by Paul’s deeply held convictions and arranged for a hearing in the presence of the visiting King Agrippa II. Agrippa came from a line of violent and corrupt kings, with little tolerance for Christian ideology. Agrippa’s great-grandfather tried to kill Jesus as a baby, his grandfather beheaded John the Baptist, and his father had martyred the first apostle James. And here we are with Paul standing before the next Herod, Herod Agrippa.

Festus was sensitive to the Jewish leaders probably because it was politically expedient for him to keep them at bay so as to keep a relative lid on the peace in the region. It is not known if Festus knew the intentions of the Jewish leaders or not but it didn’t matter to him.

“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
Acts 26:3

Paul felt it necessary to emphasize the cultural side of his Jewish roots. He needed to impress both Festus and King Agrippa with his background to give them a sense for the validity and accuracy of his religious faith. Not only was Paul a faithful Jew, but among the Jews he was known as a faithful man who lived according to the most rigid sect of the Pharisees.

The Christian faith is available to everyone. Only believers of Christ though, are included in His Salvation. Paul knew that despite the glorious saving Grace given him by Christ, there were many hardships to bear along the way. He knew the pain, torment, and threats. He knew that he had to tread lightly and with clarity when addressing his accusers in court. Paul could have glossed over the more unpleasant details of his conversion, but it was in his testimony that we see Grace.

Shifting gears, it was time for Paul to show the heart of his case. His story, while astonishing, was so powerful and for skeptics, hard to believe.

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
Acts 26:6-8

God’s grace brings us closer to Him. It draws us nearer to his loving qualities. It puts Jesus inside us and gives us faith. Paul’s trust in Jesus was an outgrowth of his trust in the hope of the promise made by God and he argued that for hope’s sake. So, while accused by the Jews, his hope pushed him forward.

Paul has often demonstrated principles over convenience. Character over convenience. As Jesus followers, we should always use opportunity when it’s available for God’s good. What to do when asked to explain our faith, do as Paul did, simply say, “Listen.” Paul was on trial not because he was a threat to society or a violent man, he was on trial because of his mission serving Christ.

Delicately, Paul demonstrated that his faith is not just about following rules, it’s about knowing what they mean, why they’re in place, and even looking through them to see the whole picture. But, Christ’s resurrection was off-putting to his accusers. It undermined their longheld beliefs about Old Testament prophecy. They even felt the resurrection negated what the Prophets exclaimed.

Paul went on to share in exquisite detail, his conversion story. He described the life-changing, blinding light experience when Jesus knocked him to the ground while on the way to Damascus. In reality, Paul literally saw the light before he figuratively saw the light. Before his conversion, Paul was an angry man. His anger and hatred showed that his relationship with God was not right.

So, Jesus responded…

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Acts 26:17-18

Jesus calls us to do things for Him. Many times, we listen when it’s comfortable and convenient. In Paul’s case, he listened despite the hardships. Paul might have had no choice in this story, but he quickly learned that to be right with God required no works on his part, it was and always is, a matter of faith.

I would have loved to have been in the courtroom to see Agrippa’s reaction to Paul’s testimony. Apparently, Paul wasn’t a gifted orator. I’m not sure how smooth his delivery of his defense was, but it must have made a huge impression. He laid out his foundation showing common ground and rationale. Every point was backed up. Undoubtedly, Agrippa noticed the difference in this former zealot. He must have thought, there has to be something with this Christian “Way.”

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Acts 26:28-29

Paul reaffirmed that the Christian way is available to everyone. Agrippa was looking for a short cut or easy way to Salvation. Not many Christians will experience the torments that Paul endured and Paul wished none of his burdens on anyone else. As an intelligent man, Paul sized up Agrippa’s seriousness for conversion. But picking up the cross and following Jesus is not something that one person can do for another. Paul tried to help Agrippa.

He started slowly when he asked, “Do you believe the prophets?” Paul knew that if Agrippa did believe the prophets, logic would lead him to believe in Jesus. He wanted to form a connection with what Agrippa already believed to what he should believe.

Agrippa and the others left the courtroom. There is nothing to give us hope that Agrippa came to follow Christ that day — or ever. Were the “chains” too ominous for him? Did the cross of the resurrection intimidate him?

The cross is a major stumbling block for many who don’t believe in Christ today. It shouldn’t be. The resurrection brings together a diverse group of people into one family. The resurrection proves our complete forgiveness. The resurrection was paid in full for people from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

When things sound good and look shiny, look deeper. My brother got a text message today that offered a monthly unemployment stimulus payment, completely forgivable. It looked like it was from the federal government so he started to apply for this. After some discussion, I cautioned him about uploading his driver’s license without fully vetting this government resource. Turned out to be a scam. Luckily, he never submitted anything.

Following Jesus is the best thing that has happened in my life. I’m lost without Him. There are no strings attached or fees to be paid to be a Christian. Despite what some might think though, it’s not an easy road. It’s not smooth and perfect. It has warts, cracks, wrinkles, and cuts. Bad things will continue to happen in our lives whether we’re a believer of Christ or not. But, why not arm yourself with someone who can give you hope? Why not choose someone who can be a rock to stand upon, to give you strength?

Agrippa inquired for an easy way into the Christian faith. He wanted the benefits of the faith, without skin in the game. On the surface, he was put off by some scratches. Look deeper, there is more to this way than you can ever imagine!

“Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us — a crucified God — must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in the world.”
John Piper

Key Applications:

1. What personality characteristics do you see in Paul in these chapters? This guy was a murderer and a terrorist at one time. Do you see that in him here? Among other things, I noticed his integrity. Focus on your integrity this week. Pray that your faith and Christ’s grace gives you integrity even when integrity is not rewarded.
2. Read Acts 25 and 26. Sometime in our life, we will all have the opportunity to share our faith with others. How would you approach it? My advice. Be humble. Be simple. What key points or stories would you use? Pray each day this week before bed and ask God for the wisdom to help.
3. Have you fallen for the too good to be true offer? Since we’re never promised riches, fame, and glory, use wisdom and consideration when facing that shiny decision. Pray. Is this something I should do?

Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.