No Minor Interest

Acts 25:13-22 

13A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.  14Since 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.  15When 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.  17When 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.  18When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.  19Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.  20I 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.  21But 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.” 22Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

Introduction

Some believers accurately observe that Christian life is difficult. As Christians, trying to live a righteous life becomes easy only if we submit to the lordship of Christ. Faith in Him is a constant conflict between submission to God and independence from Him. Sinfulness and spiritual forces entice us to ignore and be independent from God.

In Ephesians 6:12, 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The more we grow closer in our relationship with Christ, the more we progress in our understanding about life beyond this physical world. God would appropriate spiritual awareness according to spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity reveals intimacy with God.

The more we grow deeper in our relationship with Christ, the more we are strengthen in our faith, the more we mature spiritually, and the more we increase in spiritual understanding. We study the Bible is to learn about Christ-like lifestyle, and apply what we have learned with the help of the Holy Spirit.

In Revelation 1:3, 3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Would you accept that this verse applies to the whole Bible? Did you feel blessed when you read and hear God’s word? Did you receive blessings when you take to heart or put into practice what you have heard?

Foolish church-goers reject the idea of reading the word of God aloud. In their foolishness, they resist to read God’s word again and again, why?

In John 10:27, 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Similarly, genuine believers would love to read and hear God’s voice again and again. Believers can easily test the strength of their faith by the frequency of reading God’s word. The Lord can easily cause even non-believers to discuss about Him.

1.  Discussion

13A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.  14Since 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.  15When 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.  17When 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.

As government officials, King Agrippa and Governor Festus should have been discussing about politics, right? Festus was newly appointed governor of Judea. He should have been discussing with Agrippa about matters concerning politics and governance in Judea. Yet, Festus was more anxious on resolving the issue of Paul instead, why? Did God create interest in the heart of Festus or Agrippa about Paul?

King Agrippa who visited Governor Festus was the brother of the Drusilla, the wife of Governor Felix. Agrippa was the brother-in-law of Felix whom Festus has relieved as governor of Judea. Agrippa was authorized by the Roman government to appoint high priests in the temple.

Since Agrippa was a brother-in-law of Felix who was relieved as governor, politics was not a desirable topic. It was no trivial matter also to ignore the case of Paul because those high priests who accused Paul were appointed by Agrippa.

The high priests could easily inform Agrippa that Festus did not favor them. It’s easily assumed that Festus has favored Paul because it was Paul who appealed to Caesar.

Anyways, whatever probable reasons why Festus and Agrippa discussed about Paul, it was still an opportunity for Paul to testify about Christ and His resurrection.

In Romans 8:28, 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God is actively at work with or without our knowledge or even if we’ve not prayed for it.

 Student Leadership

One of the schools in Manitoba hosted a Canadian student leadership conference. The Communication Director of the Canadian Student Leadership Association was guest speaker. He talked about his collective ideas on how to promote school activity involvement that would encourage school spirit and unity among student.

One of the teachers sent a project of her students to the guest speaker. The guest speaker was so impressed with the said project, and he told the teacher that he will be using that particular project as one of the examples in his speaking engagement during student leadership conferences throughout the country.

The teacher informed her student about the development. Without the student’s knowledge, her project has attracted no minor interest not only from ordinary observers but even from well-known personalities. The student must have been elated about it.

Similarly, we may not be aware of everything happening around us, but God is not very slow to compensate. When we are prepared to give Him back all glory and not to ourselves, God appropriates rewards. Did God prepare rewards only for eternal use? Do you accept that God would bless us also for this mortal life’s consumption?

God may cause some people to talk about us without our knowledge for His glory. Moreover, our life as Christians attracts no little interest for discussion or dispute.

2.  Dispute

 18When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.  19Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.  20I 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.  21But 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.” 22Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

The dispute between the high priests and Paul regarding the resurrection of Christ attracted discussion among non-believers. Why were the chief priests so interested in proving that Paul was wrong? Why were they so interested in persecuting him?

Some theologians strongly suggest that God was behind the decision of Festus to send Paul to Caesar. Others are more inclined to include God’s work among political leaders so that the disputes about Paul’s case would be included in the written records or archives of kings and governors. Truly, Josephus, the Jewish-Roman historian included in his writings this significant event in the life of Festus and Agrippa.

Friendly discussion or politically motivated disputes, the Lord has exhibited His grace in the life of Paul. God’s grace at work in our life is the main element of our testimony when we are given a chance to witness for Him. Everyday, God provide opportunities for us to experience more of His grace.

Philemon

How would you respond if a friend borrowed a huge amount of money from you and has no intention to pay? Then, a pastor told you to forget about the payment but accept the debtor as brother in Christ?

Onesimus was a servant of Philemon. Onesimus run away after stealing money from Philemon. Onesimus came to know the Lord through Paul. Paul saw the spiritual growth of Onesimus. Paul wrote in Philemon 15-16, 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

It was not known how Philemon responded but if God’s grace was active in Philemon’s life, he accepted Onesimus not as a slave but as ministry partner.

Transformation of life and active involvement in the ministry prove that God’s grace is active in the believer’s life. It may seem unfair for Philemon but to forgive Onesimus proves that he received God’s forgiveness.

Painful experiences cannot be denied, not easily forgotten but to forgive those who caused us pain proves that we have received God’s forgiveness.

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