The King Who Refused the Cross

This chapter is based on Acts 25:13-27; 26.

Festus could do nothing else than send Paul to Rome. But some time passed before a suitable ship could be found. This gave Paul opportunity to present the reasons of his faith before the leaders of Caesarea and also before King Agrippa II.ULe 158.1

“Now after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.” Festus outlined the circumstances that led to the prisoner’s appeal to Caesar, telling of Paul’s recent trial before him and saying that the Jews had brought “some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”ULe 158.2

Agrippa became interested and said, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” A meeting was arranged for the following day, and “at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.”ULe 158.3

Festus had tried to make this an occasion of impressive display. The rich robes of the procurator and his guests, the swords of the soldiers, and the gleaming armor of their commanders gave brilliance to the scene.ULe 158.4

And now Paul, in chains, stood before the company. What a contrast! Agrippa and Bernice possessed power and position, but they were completely lacking the character that God values. They were transgressors of His law, corrupt in heart and life.ULe 158.5

The aged prisoner, chained to his guard, had nothing in his appearance that would lead the world to honor him. Yet in this man, apparently without friends, wealth, or position, all heaven was interested. Angels were by his side. If the glory of only one of those shining messengers had flashed out, the king and court attendants would have been struck to the earth like the Roman guards at the tomb of Christ.ULe 158.6

Festus presented Paul to the assembly with the words: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. ... It seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”ULe 158.7