The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

The owner of a chicken farm goes out to look for eggs amongst his chickens. After a few days of no eggs being laid, the farmer must decide if it is time to harvest the chickens for meat or not. Chickens are definitely a part of the food chain, as are cows, pigs, and other farm animals. Their meat was designed for us to eat.

Humans, however, were made in the image of God. We have souls, reason, logic, and intelligence that the other animals do not have.

What I find striking here is that Festus is treating Paul almost like a chicken. I don’t think he particularly worried about whether Paul lived or died. I do think Paul was the new “bright shiny” situation in which Festus could gain political clout and entertain his fellow rulers.

As I listen to his logic, there are two forces at play here: 1) Paul is a Roman citizen. If Festus does not treat Paul according to the rules of Roman law, not only could he get into trouble, but the other Romans in the area would wonder if there was any real value in their citizenship. 2) He did not want a revolt on his hands from the Jews and their leaders. His job, in part, was to keep the peace and ensure that the different ethnic groups living under his domain were under control with little attention being drawn to them.

And so he invited King Agrippa to weigh in, as well as the other men of position in the community. In doing so, he gives them all something to talk about around the well (now we would call it the water cooler). There is entertainment value for Festus in this approach. He also can build loyalty and coalition among his fellow rulers and the royalty of the area.

And so we find this hearing has been talked up in town … it has the feeling of a “main event”. King Agrippa comes in with pomp and circumstance, joined by military leaders and the important people around town.

God allowed all of this to happen to Paul, so many could hear the gospel. He also was modeling for his church the faithfulness of Paul.

Lord, what world leaders and systems are you allowing to operate and play their political games in order that your gospel message, the good news about Jesus, will reach new ears? Thank you that I get to be a part of your amazingly planned redemption story, just like the Apostle Paul. I am reporting for duty, Father, use me in my strength or weakness as you desire.