If Paul knew what lay ahead he may have thought twice about entering the Temple that day. But now after a mob scene we find him on an expedited adventure from Jerusalem to a Caesarean prison by God’s divine orchestration so that he may begin to see the prophecy of: “you will speak to kings” begin its fulfillment...but certainly not as Paul had envisioned.
Prison Fellowship with a Roman procurator is probably not what was on Paul's mind! This Roman understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately but a man who vacillated, often unwilling to commit when pushed come to shove, one who abandoned wives to marry another. His new wife, Drusilla is only near the age of 20; is his third wife and also a divorcee. Together they paint a picture of those who seek the world’s answer to happiness but when presented with faith in Christ Jesus, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix, and most likely Drusilla, became frightened and sent Paul away with these words: “when I have an opportunity I will send for you.” The world says tomorrow, tomorrow but not today. Beware, tomorrow may never come. For two years Felix had many opportunities and talked with Paul often but Felix’s heart remained un-resilient to the gospel message.
Porcius Festus succeeded Felix and thereupon inherited the problem of Paul. Festus was a man-pleaser who wanted to do the Jews a favor, and also naïve to the ways of the Jewish religious leaders. Festus was also a man who could not or would not made decisions regarding the fate of Paul. Upon hearing that Paul appealed to Caesar he found himself in a bind with no easy answers.
Enter King Agrippa I who arrives in Caesarea for a visit accompanied by his sister Bernice. Agrippa, unwilling to just decide, opens the door to hear Paul and thus once again “you shall speak to kings” is being fulfilled. As Paul speaks the hearts of two men listening must decide not for Paul’s guilt but for who Christ is. Festus responds with “Paul you are mad!” Paul takes the upper hand and gives Agrippa the opportunity to decide: “Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.” Agrippa answers with a question: “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”
God is patient but presented with the gospel message all three reject and thus one day will have to stand before the judgment seat to hear “I never knew you.” Others too reject because of fear OR because the gospel message is just too simple OR because they do not want to lose face. Jesus, the Servant has come that all men may have the opportunity to accept Him. It is my prayer that you will accept Him as your Christ, your Redeemer. You believe the prophets right? I know you believe. Will you accept?
Acts 24 to 26
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