Focal Passage: Acts 26:19-29
There are many things in life that demand a response. We are faced with these things each and every day of our lives. Some of them are small things that alter our lives very little. Then there are the big things that completely change the direction and outcome of our very existence. And of course, there is everything in the middle, each having varying effects on the way we live our lives.
Let me give you some examples. A ringing telephone is one of those small things that demands a response. There is nothing more annoying than a ringing phone. We either have to answer it, or do something else like hanging up on the call to end the noise. One might argue, “I don’t have to respond to it at all. I can just ignore it.”
But, even ignoring it, you are still responding to it. An example of a bigger thing would be whom you choose to marry. Whether you are the one asking, or the one answering, you still must respond to the question. If you are the one asking, you have to respond to the question, “Is this something I really want?” Because believe me, this will change the course of your life. The same would be true for the one responding to the question. Both responses will have life-changing consequences.
Nimmo
In today’s lesson we see another example of something that demands a response. What do we do with this man named Jesus? Our response will not only have life-changing affects, but it will have eternal consequences as well. It is not something we can ignore, because ignoring the question, like the telephone, is a response. There is no neutral ground.
Our passage begins with Paul before the court in Caesarea. Festus, the new Roman governor who has replaced Felix, has invited King Agrippa to assist him in determining what he would write to Caesar concerning Paul before sending Paul on to Rome. Paul has been imprisoned in Caesarea for two years now. Not being very familiar with the particulars of Paul’s case, Festus finds himself at a loss as how to proceed with the appeal.
King Agrippa’s family, however, had been in the region a long time and had a very good understanding of Judaism and fully grasped Jewish culture. Agrippa was familiar with this new Christian movement as well and was interested in hearing what Paul had to say about it. Paul begins his defense by sharing his conversion experience. He then quickly shifts his emphasis to Jesus being the Messiah. He knew King Agrippa would understand what he was talking about and the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Paul concluded his defense by asking King Agrippa to respond to what he had just heard. Unfortunately, Agrippa responds by rejecting Paul’s invitation.
We know that Paul’s presentation must had have some impact because Agrippa did note that he saw nothing in Paul’s story worth imprisonment or death. Did he ever accept Jesus as the Messiah? We don’t know. The Bible doesn’t tell us. But, he, as well as all of us must respond to that same question, “What do we do with this man Jesus?” B&R
