Good Morning Friends,
“Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘I would like
to hear this man myself.’ He replied, ‘Tomorrow you will hear him.’ The next
day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with
the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of
Festus, Paul was brought in.” (Acts 25:22-23)
Paul was arrested in Jerusalem on charges
brought by the leaders of the Jews. As a result of those charges, Paul stood
before the Jewish Council, the most powerful men in Israel and made his
defense, which included the presentation of the Gospel.
Then, Paul was taken to Caesarea where his
case was put before the governor, Felix, and Paul made his defense there, too.
Again, Paul’s defense included the presentation of the Gospel and Paul had
several opportunities to speak with Felix about Christ.
Felix was replaced as governor by Festus and
he also brought Paul before him to face his accusers. Again, before a new
governor, Paul was able to share about Christ. And when King Agrippa and his
wife, Bernice, visited Caesarea to welcome Festus to office, Paul was given the
chance to speak before them and shared the Gospel. In fact, when Agrippa and
Bernice heard Paul speak it was not just them, but also with the “high ranking
officers and the leading men of the city.”
When Festus tried him, Paul appealed to the
Roman Emperor. In the chapters to come we’ll find Paul being transferred to
Rome and there he’ll have the opportunity to speak with many Roman officers,
including the palace guard about Christ. And, eventually, even Caesar will hear
Paul’s defense and be exposed to the Gospel.
The Jews meant Paul’s arrest for his harm, to
hinder the growth of the Gospel. Instead, God used it for good, to provide
opportunity for governors, kings, powerful men, and even Caesar to hear the
message of Jesus.
That is the way God works! Man tries to
hinder Him, and God turns their feeble attempts into something that He can use
for His kingdom. You can trust God to do that!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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