Before the King

“I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.” — Acts 26:29

Paul was kept as a prisoner in Caesarea for two whole years. The governors kept putting off deciding what to do with him.

Then a new governor came, called Festus. The leaders in Jerusalem still wanted Paul killed. So Paul did something he had the right to do, because he was a Roman citizen. He said, “I appeal to Caesar!” That meant his case would be heard by the emperor himself, in Rome.

Before Paul was sent to Rome, a visiting king came to Caesarea. His name was King Agrippa, and his sister Bernice came with him. They wanted to hear Paul for themselves.

So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came into the great hall with great pomp: fine clothes, royal robes, important army commanders and leading men of the city. And Paul was brought in, in chains.

“You may speak for yourself,” said Agrippa.

So Paul told the king his story. How he had been a strict Pharisee. How he had hated the followers of Jesus and put many of them in prison. How, on the road to Damascus, at midday, a light brighter than the sun had shone around him. How Jesus had spoken to him and sent him to open people’s eyes, to turn them from darkness to light. And how, ever since, he had obeyed that vision from heaven.

“I’m only saying what Moses and the prophets said would happen,” said Paul. “That the Christ would suffer, and be the first to rise from the dead, and bring light to his own people and to all the nations.”

Festus interrupted. “Paul, you’re out of your mind!” he shouted. “All your learning is driving you mad!”

“I’m not mad, most excellent Festus,” Paul answered. “What I’m saying is true and reasonable. The king knows about these things. None of this was done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

And Paul said, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you, but everyone who is listening to me today, may become what I am, except for these chains.”

The king and the governor got up and went out. “This man isn’t doing anything that deserves death or prison,” they said to each other. “He could have been set free, if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”

Paul was the prisoner. Agrippa was the king. But Paul was the one who was really free. He knew Jesus. And even in chains, his greatest wish was for the king to know Jesus too.

Read it in your Bible: Acts 25:23–26:32

Dear God, thank you that knowing Jesus is the greatest freedom of all. Help me to want everyone I meet to know Him too, even important people. Amen.