TODAY'S Liberating Word || Subscribe Today! || HOME
Send Page to Friend || Contact Rev.Piazza || Archives

Week Nineteen, Day Four

Acts 23: 26-24: 27

Felix was hated by the Jews. His wife was the daughter of Herod Agrippa, and she had been married to another minor King until Felix seduced her. A riot occurred as the result of a conflict between the Jews and Greeks in Caesarea, and Felix had taken the side of the Greeks, allowing his soldiers to ransack the homes of prominent Jewish citizens. After they complained about him to the emperor, he eventually was recalled.

During this time, though, Felix kept Paul in jail for two years, hoping to curry favor with the Jewish leaders. He is neither the first nor last politician to condone injustice because it was the politically popular thing to do. While democracy is a great form of government, ruling by popular opinion often leads to the oppression of those who are not the majority and to injustice for those who are out of favor with the majority.

Felix was succeeded as governor by Porcius Festus. He tried to get off on the right foot with his Jewish subjects by offering to hold a trial for Paul in Jerusalem. The plot to assassinate Paul was still in the works, so, in order to prevent this, Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen and appeals his case to the emperor. Festus has no choice but to send him to Rome.

Several days later, King Herod Agrippa and his wife arrive in Caesarea to welcome Festus into his new job. Festus tells them about Paul and his exchange with the Jewish leaders and Agrippa wants to meet Paul himself. So, the next day, Paul is brought before Festus and Agrippa, and he is asked again to make his case. Luke records yet another long passage of testimony from Paul. At one point, Felix interrupts and suggests that too much learning has made Paul mad.

Agrippa, however, is a Jew and knows the context of all Paul is saying. He asks Paul if he is trying to convert him to Christianity. Paul said that it is his desire that all who hear him to become as he is, except without the chains.

In the old King James Version of this story, Agrippa is reported to have said, “Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian.” More modern and accurate translations do not indicate that Agrippa goes quite that far. What he does do, though, is tell Festus that Paul isn't guilty of anything. He then adds, “If he had not appealed to the Emperor, he could have been set free.”

Paul used his Roman citizenship to protect himself, but, in the end, it keeps him imprisoned. I'm sure there is a sermon illustration in there somewhere …

Blessings,

Michael Piazza
President, Hope for Peace & Justice

TODAY'S Liberating Word || Subscribe Today! || HOME
Send Page to Friend || Contact Rev. Piazza || Archives