Jump Start # 1162

Acts 25:23 “So on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.”

  A major PGA tournament is in town this weekend. All the current golf greats are here: Tiger, Phil, Rory. The area is buzzing with all people that this event brings. I hope to be out there tomorrow. This is serious business and there is a huge list of what you can and cannot do, including no photos and no autographs. If the weather corporates it ought to be a fun day.

Our verse today illustrates another time a city was excited. It wasn’t a golf tournament. It wasn’t a rock star celebrity in town. Everyone was talking about a prisoner. His name was Paul. He was a left over from the former governor, Felix. He didn’t know what to do with Paul and had high hopes to bribe some money from Paul’s companions, so he left Paul in prison. Now the new governor, Festus, was trying to figure out what to do with him. This seemed to be a Jewish squabble and Paul didn’t seem to be much of a threat to the citizens, however, Paul made appeals to stand before Caesar, the ruler of the Empire. Festus was obligated to send Paul to Rome.

Agrippa, who was the king of the region was in town. Festus sought advice about what to do with Paul. Agrippa was amused and curious. He wanted to hear what Paul would say. So this was arranged. This wasn’t a private meeting behind closed doors. No Agrippa didn’t operate that way. He was always into show and what a show this would be.

It took place in a grand auditorium, Agrippa and his wife arrived Luke tells us “amid great pomp.” What a show. I expect banners were waving, trumpets were blowing,  and everyone was standing to get a glimpse of the king. Invited to this as well were “commanders,” which means the high ranking military. Also invited were “prominent men of the city,” the movers and shakers of the town. The business owners, the politicians, the “who’s who” of the area. They all came. They came to see Paul.

Festus makes a grand speech setting the tone and reason for the meeting. If he sends Paul to Caesar, he must send letters with him. What will he write? The Jews want Paul executed. What has he done? You can imagine everyone working on their own opinions. Some probably were discussing it with the people around them.

As the next chapter begins, the King allows Paul to speak. The chapter is often referred to as Paul’s defense. It was not so much pleading for his life, as he as telling his story. He began with his background, his days as the persecutor of Christians and then the divine vision of Jesus and his conversion. He showed that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah who was raised from the dead. Festus interrupted, proclaiming that Paul was crazy. Paul talked directly to the King. He appealed to the King. He asked the King if he believed? Agrippa replied, “Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian.” Almost.

The king left. In private, he admitted that Paul should have been released. However, the appeal to Rome stands and it’s off to Rome he will go.

A few things to note:

1. Long ago, in the Heavenly vision, Jesus told Paul that he would stand before kings. Now he was. It probably wasn’t the journey that he expected. Paul had been beaten in the past. He’s been sitting in jail for a couple of years. God’s word and God’s promises remain true. The same works for us. God’s word and God’s promises are true. The journey to fulfill them may not be the way we expected or even wanted, but God will keeps His word.

2. Paul didn’t seem to be “star struck” with all the prominent people in the audience. He was more impressed with Jesus. Paul wasn’t giggly with the king. He wasn’t dropping vain compliments. He talked with the king like he would anyone else. Being on the field, the stage, sitting in the big office, having letters after our name, having our own parking spot, should not change who we are. We are to be humble servants of Christ. This includes preachers. We are not the rock stars of Jesus. We are humble messengers. Sometimes, like on pancakes, the syrup of compliments, can be a bit thick. Our heads can start believing that we are something. I think this is why most church buildings have double doors—to get the preachers head through it. Remember Jesus. Allowing others to touch him, interrupt him, and ask him questions. He went to their homes. He was available and accessible by all. Jesus was with the common guy more than he was the movers and shakers of society. Paul was simply Paul, even before the king.

3. Some people get real excited about “famous people” being part of the church they go to. There is a long list of famous people, current and in the past, who were connected to our fellowship. I could drop a few names and some readers would say, “I didn’t know that.” Dropping names doesn’t give credibility. Dropping names isn’t God’s way of PR. Dropping names impresses us, but not Heaven. God is impressed with the faith of anyone. The faith of a young mother is just as important as the faith of someone who was an astronaut or athlete or famous singer. Paul wanted the king to be a Christian. He wanted that so the king would save his soul. It had nothing to do with making Paul seem more right. There would be no testimonies from the king that would be used. If someone became a Christian because the king did, they probably didn’t have the right heart to begin with. The resurrected Savior is all the reason we need to become a Christian. We follow Jesus, not the “legends” among us.

4. The king almost became a Christian. Almost. Famous, sorry words. Almost. I met a guy who almost played pro sports. He was in the minor leagues. He almost did. But he didn’t. I met someone who almost became mayor. He lost by a few votes. Almost. Almost is the song of failure. Almost wrote a book. Almost made it big on stage. Almost had an invention take off and sell. Almost traveled overseas. Almost…almost. Some live their lives with almost. Instead of doing anything, it’s almost.

The saddest almost is Agrippa’s. He almost became a Christian. I know others who said the same thing. Almost got forgiveness by God. Almost became adopted into God’s family. Almost did the most important thing in your life. Almost changed the family destiny. Almost had the past erased. Almost had the future bright and sure. Almost beat the addictions. Almost became a servant at heart. Almost followed Jesus. And finally, almost was in Heaven. Almost, but not. How tragic. How sad. It wasn’t that the king didn’t know. He knew. He wasn’t that he was clueless. He was close, very close. He just couldn’t pull the trigger.

I expect if we could talk to Agrippa today, and yes, he lives, as we all will, in eternity, he would love to take that almost back and change the question mark into an exclamation point. He wishes now he was a Christian. He wishes now that he walked with Jesus. He wishes now, like the rich man in Luke 16, that he obeyed Christ. Now, it’s too late. Now, all the almosts are just a sad, pitiful song.

Almost. How about you? Do you hang your hat on some almosts? Almost apologized. Why not? Almost became a deacon or elder in the congregation. Why not? Almost spoke up. Why not? Don’t live and don’t die with almosts.

Paul is amazing in these chapters of Acts. More amazing is our Lord. Are you with Him? No almost.

Roger