Two Judges and a Local King

 

 

When Paul went to Jerusalem after his third missionary journey, he had great hopes. He had been warned by various churches that it would be wiser not to go. However, when he got to Jerusalem every thing went wrong. Paul was accused, falsely, of bringing Gentiles into the Jewish area of the Temple. A riot took place and Paul was only delivered from possible assassination by the arrival of Roman troops who protected him and took him away under guard to Caesarea. Here he met his first judge Felix. Felix had a reputation for killing anyone who opposed him. He was also living with his brother wife whom he had enticed away from her husband. Her name was Drusilla. When a Jewish deputation arrived they accused Paul falsely of stirring up trouble in Jerusalem. In his defense Paul showed how absurd these accusations were. But Paul took the opportunity of preaching the Gospel to Felix. In particular he spoke about righteousness, self control and judgment to come. All this made Felix very uncomfortable. If he had accepted what Paul said he would have to be a much fairer judge and also send Drusilla back to her husband. This was too much to ask of Felix! It was too big a price to pay if he was to follow Paul and become a Christian. He called out Go away Paul, when I have a more convenient time I will listen to you again. This was Felix great opportunity to get right with God. But he ignored it, and although he talked with Paul again on several occasions he was never stirred again in the same way. There are times when God speaks directly to us in some way. Is that true of you now? If so obey the prompting, and get right with God. The next judge was Festus who was just not interested in religious questions. He asked Paul if he would like his trial transferred to Jerusalem. But Paul knew that he would not be safe there, and that he might even be assassinated on the way. Paul was also a Roman citizen. He was born with this privilege and it is possible that because of some brave deed which his father had carried out, the Roman citizenship had been extended to the whole family including Paul. Therefore Paul used his right as a Roman citizen to be tried by the Emperor himself. This was a problem for Felix. He did consider himself able to describe religious questions between the Jewish leaders and Paul. But he would have to write something. At this point King Agrippa came on the scene. He was a local king who had come to pay his respects to Festus. He was part of the Herod family who had murdered the babies in Bethlehem (Luke 2), beheaded John the Baptist, while another member of this family had James the apostle beheaded (Acts 12). Agrippa agreed to listen to Paul at Festus request. On an arranged occasion Festus, Agrippa, Bernice and many others arrived to listen to Paul. It would appear that Bernice had left her husband so as to live with Agrippa. Paul gave the experience of his conversion on the road to Damascus. But he also added that God had appointed him to be a missionary to the Gentiles in order to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. As Paul continued, Festus interrupted, saying that Paul learning was driving him mad. Paul replied that he was only saying what many of the Old Testament prophets had foretold and King Agrippa would be well aware of this. Turning to King Agrippa he asked Do you believe the prophets? I know you do. Agrippa replied You are almost persuading me to be a Christian. Paul replied I wish that you and all who hear me this day were like me, except for the chains in which I am bound. King Agrippa commented afterwards that Paul could have been set free if he had not already appealed to Caesar. In this story we have three men who were almost becoming Christians; but Felix and Agrippa had wrong relationships which they were not willing to give up and Festus was only mildly interested. Are you like any of these? If so do stay as almost a Christian but be fully trusting the Lord Jesus Christ who bore your sin when He died and rose again. Whatever problems may arise you will never regret taking that step.

By Revd Malcolm Green