Acts 25: Becoming an Agent of Change

 

Scripture: Acts 25:22 Agrippa said, "Could I hear what this man has to say for himself?"

Title: Becoming an Agent of Change 

Entering into chapter 25 it might be well for us to remember this is Luke's version of the story. More than likely, he was writing this history from firsthand knowledge. I am guessing that he had the opportunity to talk to many believers during his years of traveling with Paul. Some of these people would have been the original followers and judging from his accounts of the birth of Jesus in his gospel, he might have even met Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Any story is going to have a slant based upon the position of the author. A few years ago, I read a story of an ancient Egyptian writing that talked of a group of slaves trying to escape Egypt and they were drowned in the Red Sea while the army of Egypt looked on. It makes sense that the Pharaoh of the Exodus would not put in writing a story that says the army of Egypt drowned in the Red Sea while the slaves escaped. So, I guess, the writing states what the author wants to make known rather than what is true. 

But I believe that Luke has no reason to write a false account of Paul, especially one that does not glorify Paul or the circumstances of his life. It seems only fair to believe that Luke's account of the Romans is quite accurate and the Romans themselves had no awareness of the impact of this "minor" dispute between the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem and the itinerate preacher named Paul.

Acts 25:1 Within days of taking this new post, Festus traveled to Jerusalem 2 to meet with the chief priests and other leaders allowing them to present their charges against Paul. 3 They urged Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem for trial, hoping they would be able to kill him while he traveled between the two cities. 4 Festus said, "Paul is in prison in Caesarea. I will be back there soon. 5 I would be happy to have some of you come back with me and we can determine if he has done something wrong." 6 He left for Caesarea about ten days later, and the following day, asked for Paul to be brought into his presence. 7 Once they were gathered, the Jews once again brought up charges against Paul that they could not substantiate.

The Jews had it out for Paul. He was changing their religion and disrupting the peacefulness of their way of life. At least the peaceful way of life that the leadership enjoyed. Paul was teaching that these leaders had misunderstood the ways of God and had killed on a cross the Messiah that Moses had predicted would come to set the people free. Since they liked the status quo of the system they had created and it was serving them well, they were interested in removing Paul from this life.

We have the same message of change to speak to our sphere of influence. If people believe in Jesus, it will change the way they do things. And very few people like to have changes in their lives. They like their status quo. However, we often notice that changes in our status quo, while they create some upheaval, in time they also create newness and freshness and wonder. Never forget that even though we are peacemakers we are also agents of change because the gospel will never allow us to become stagnant about life.

And Paul has another opportunity to become an agent of change.

8 Festus asked Paul to tell his side of the story. "I have not broken the Law of the Jews nor done anything against their temple or even against the laws of Caesar." 9 Festus, trying to please the Jews asked Paul if he would be willing to go up to Jerusalem to face his accusers in trial. 10 He answered, "Here in Caesar's court is where I should be tried. I have done nothing wrong, and you know that to be true. 11 "I am willing to die if you find me guilty of anything deserving of death, but since these charges are not true, I should not be turned over to them. I appeal to Caesar!" 12 Festus stepped aside and conferred with his advisors and then said to Paul, "I will send you to Caesar, as you have requested."

 The roman law allowed for any citizen on trial, who felt a need to have a higher court review their case, to "appeal to Caesar." The appeal would almost guarantee their trip to Rome to have their case brought before the "supreme court" of their empire. Paul was convinced that he would not get a fair trial in Jerusalem and if Festus did not rule on his case here in Caesarea, he felt his only possible next step was to head to Rome on Caesar's dollar. He knew God was going to get him to Rome one way or another, but he did not see that way as one going through a trial in Jerusalem, so he appealed to Caesar and to Caesar he was now headed.

Far too often we encounter people who are so set in their ways or convinced their way is "right" that we cannot see any other way of getting along with them than to separate ourselves from them. I know the Bible tells us to love one another and, in some cases, the loving thing to do is to just not be around some people. The Bible also teaches us to "Make every effort you can to be at peace with other people, but it is not always possible." (Romans 12:18 EBV) Sometimes we feel we have done everything we can to love the other person and then the only option for us is to find peace in the relationship by not being involved. That does not give us the excuse to no longer pray for them or have a loving attitude when we come in contact.

Paul was already making plans to be transported to Rome when a new official came to town.

13 It was only a short time later that King Agrippa and Bernice came to town to congratulate Festus on his appointment. 14 While they were there, Festus talked with them about Paul's situation and the fact that Felix had left him in prison. 15 He said, "I went up to visit Jerusalem and the Jewish leader brought up some old charges they had against the man and wanted me to condemn him to death. 16 "I reminded them of our customs and how a man cannot be condemned until he has had a chance to stand before his accusers, hear what they have to say, and make his own defense. 17 "Some of them came back with me to Caesarea, where I convened court and ordered the accused to appear before us. 18 "I was shocked that they did not have any charges of crimes like I was expecting. 19 "They had some disputes about their own religious beliefs and something about a dead man named Jesus, whom Paul claimed was still alive. 20 "I did not know how to investigate these kinds of charges so I asked him if he would be willing to go back to Jerusalem and stand trial. 21 "Paul appealed to have his case tried by Caesar so I have made plans to send him to Rome."

The story has some interesting human behavior elements. The Jews want to get rid of Paul, so they have to come up with some issues that seem to them to have enough validity for the Romans to find Paul guilty. Since their desire to get rid of Paul is such a strong influence in their lives, they then need to trump up some charges and usually that comes out to be vague ideas rather than concrete facts.

On the other hand, the Romans do not see any crime worthy of their time, all they see are religious differences that they do not understand. However, the Roman judicial system says if a citizen is arrested, he must be tried, and that means the accusers and the accused must have their day in court.

The Jews cannot understand Paul's change of heart and believe his conversion to Christianity is creating a disturbance amongst the followers of Judaism. The Romans cannot understand how the two religious groups cannot get along because they appear to believe in the same God.

When we give our lives to Jesus, we do enter a different spiritual dimension. That does not make us better than others although many believers seem to think it does. It changes our focus from our being selfish humans to people who strive with the help of the Holy Spirit to love all people the way God loves all people.

Without the Holy Spirit in a person's live, they cannot see the things of God. The only thing they can see is our behavior. How we talk and how we act. When what we say and do seems contrary to the ways of love, the ways that Jesus taught, I think people have every right to criticize us and discount the truth of Jesus being the Son of God and the Way of Salvation. "We are now called to be ambassadors for Jesus, where God uses us to appeal to the world on His behalf to be reconciled to God."  (2 Corinthians 5:20 EBV)

The Holy Spirit has opened up another opportunity for Paul to witness the good news to others. We might remember Jesus said to the disciples, "and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." (Matthew 10:18 EBV) And earlier in the book of Acts, God said to Ananias to go visit Saul and pray for him because, "I have chosen to have him take my name to the nations. He will have audiences with kings and many of My people from Israel." (Acts 9:15 EBV) Paul has spoken to a few governors and now he gets to speak to a king.

22 Agrippa said, "Could I hear what this man has to say for himself?" Festus said, "We can hear from him tomorrow." 23 It was quite the festive occasion when Agrippa and Bernice came together with Festus and all of the officers of the region as well as the influential men of the city. Paul was brought into the room. 24 Festus began, "King Agrippa, I present to you, this man whom the Jewish leaders have asked me to condemn to death. 25 "I have not been able to find any reason to comply with their request. And when he made an appeal to Caesar, I decided to send him to Rome. 26 "However, I don't have any definitive thing to write to Caesar about his charges. I ask you all, and especially you, O King, to listen to what he has to say and give me some thoughts about what I might write. 27 "I do not desire to send a prisoner to Caesar without detailing the specific charges against him."

We might never know ahead of time who the Holy Spirit will bring into our presence for us to share the good news with them. It could even be kings. Remember, our task is not to speak great theology to them or try to manipulate them into believing as we do, but we have been called to be witnesses.

A witness is someone who relays the information as we saw it. It might not be the whole story. We might have even missed some important facts, but it is our representation of what we have seen and heard. What the people hear will be the work of the Holy Spirit. He will be able to help them discern the truth that they need to hear.

We can only talk about what we believe. Who Jesus is. How He has changed our lives. The difference it makes to us to have Him present to heal, forgive, bring hope, wisdom, guidance, and on and on goes the list of wonderful things we have seen and heard as a child of God. That is our witness. That is Our Story and it interacts with His Story.

I bless you in the name of Jesus with opportunities this week to talk about Your Story with others you meet.

 

Edd Breeden