But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them.
After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
--Parallel verses:
I Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
When pulling loads or traveling long distances, farmers and travelers alike would often put blinders on their horses, mules, or oxen to keep them focused straight ahead. Sometimes this can be good, for daily work sometimes it is necessary. But as humans who can reason and think — who God has called to be governors of this world and in relationship with him as we govern — it can also be very dangerous.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law (together making up the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of the Jews) had been so focused on the minute details of the Jewish law and keeping them, they had lost sight of the reasons behind the law, the purpose of it, the BIG PICTURE! And for the Jews, the big picture was the coming Messiah.
They wore spiritual blinders, like animals of burden, and could not see Jesus Christ as the Son of God, or honor him. Instead, he and his followers were a threat to their positions and power. Jesus was not preaching a life governed by spiritual blinders. Instead, people were following and taking these blinders off to see the wonderful joy they could experience by having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (or before that, Jesus with them).
Paul was one of these Pharisees who had had the blinders on. And Jesus showed him his spiritual blindness by making him physically blind. But Paul decided to change, surrender his heart, and follow Jesus. And the scales fell from his eyes. Now he is a transformed man, spiritually, and he could see!
Paul was not particularly worried about saving his life or converting Festus or King Agrippa. He knew that it was up to the Spirit of God to pursue them and each man to decide on their own. But he wanted to be faithful to present his case for Jesus as the Lord of all. He wanted to plant the seed for Festus and Agrippa, and for all those in attendance. His life was worth sacrificing to save others. For he had been given eternal life with God.
Paul’s points to King Agrippa and all in attendance are: 1) The coming of the Messiah, fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, was prophesied about for hundreds of years. It was not something he was making up, but it was central to the Jewish belief in the redemption of God. 2) What he was saying is true. It lived up to the myriad of prophecies about Jesus down to the details. 3) This message was not just for Jews but for Gentiles too. King Agrippa was not too sinful to repent and follow Jesus. Yes, he was in an incestuous relationship with his sister, but God could forgive, heal and restore him too.
And it is the same story to this day — Jesus will take any sinner, the worst of sinners, as long as they believe, repent, follow, and remain faithful. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (I Timothy 1:15)
Lord, I am so blessed and grateful for the sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. I was the worst of sinners, and you still loved me! How could this be? But alas, it is true! And by following you in active belief, I allow your Spirit to come in, purify my heart and clean it out. You fill me with your presence and I am a temple of the living God. And I too, like Paul, can stand in any and every situation. I can stand on the rock of my faith in Jesus and proclaim freedom for the captives, joy for the hurting, and unconditional love for the oppressed! Praise you Father!
The love of God fills me just as it did Paul as a gift that answers every living person’s question how can I live in this world with the fullness of Joy every day here and for all of eternity……I give the answer away freely Jesus is the answer…. The Great I AM.