Acts 26 reminds me of those wonderful times in life when the walls fall down between people, and we stop pretending to be fine. Every single person is dealing with stuff, but we do not want anyone to see our vulnerability. So often we put up false fronts to appear okay. Today’s lesson is about how to speak hope to the guarded. We begin with the apostle Paul standing before the Roman king defending himself against false charges. King Agrippa began, “You have permission to speak for yourself”. Speaking about someone’s pain without permission is disrespectful. Paul began by acknowledging the king’s experience. “I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense… You are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs”. It is important to know a person’s awareness of their situation before offering advice. Empathy never assumes. Paul began with his excellent education and training, “ever since I was a child… I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee”. They all understood that Pharisees believed in the resurrection. Paul added, “It is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today”. Paul asked everyone listening, “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” Friend, do you think that your situation is beyond God’s ability?
Paul told his story, beginning with his persecution of the church. He did everything possible “to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth”. He “put many of the Lord’s people in prison” and some “were put to death”. Paul was “so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities”. Many initially oppose the thing they truly need the most. On one of those hunting expeditions, Paul had an encounter with the Messiah. “I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun… and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’” Paul’s life was changed when he heard the Savior personally speaking to him; “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Jesus gave Paul a new purpose “as a servant and as a witness”. Paul would open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles “so that they may receive forgiveness of sins”. Jesus promised that through Paul’s witness all will be “sanctified by faith in Me”. Helping others find fulfillment can bring enduring joy.
Paul continued his personal testimony, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven”. Paul spoke the same message to everyone he met. “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds”. Do your words match your deeds? It is always easier to spot hypocrisy in others than to see our own. Paul concluded, “I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen… so I stand here and testify”. The Bible reveals from the beginning that “Messiah would suffer and… rise from the dead, He would bring the message of light to His own people and to the Gentiles”. Having no knowledge of Scripture, Governor Festus interrupted Paul; “Your great learning is driving you insane”. The misinformed often prefer name calling over listening to understand. Paul was not deterred, “What I am saying is true and reasonable”. Paul knew that though Agrippa was educated by the Romans, he was first a Jew. He asked, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?” No Jew could deny the words of the prophets. Through nervous laughter he replied, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul did not hesitate, “I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today” would believe. Agrippa abruptly left the room without a word. My friend, maybe it’s time to let down your guard and stop pretending to be fine?