Agrippa II: A Questioning King Formations November 26, 2017 Herod Agrippa II, son of Agrippa I, Th is is the third time in Acts that Paul ruled Galilee for 42 years, while Judea, in tells the moving story of his encounter Scripture: Acts 26:1-3, 13-18a, 24-29 the south, continued to be administered with the risen Christ on the road to men who controlled his fate in Rome. by a string of Roman Damascus (26:13-18a). Two very With the foundation of Judaism and the governors in order to diff erent judges, one Jewish, the other fulfi llment of all it teaches in Jesus Christ, maintain tight control of Gentile, listen to this amazing story of a Paul found a new freedom and joy. He Jerusalem. Luke describes Pharisee committed to stamping out the was willing to die for the Jesus who died this king’s devotion; he Christian movement who then becomes for him. But Paul was not motivated by “understood well all a devoted follower of the risen Christ. suff ering or hardship. He was driven by the Jewish customs and Festus, faithful to his Roman culture and a desire to help others fi nd life and hope controversies” (v. 3). government, is convinced Paul is mentally in Christ. Paul’s devotion to Christ did Michael K. Agrippa II was loyal to unbalanced if he really believes Jesus result in his death aft er he was sent to Olmsted Rome, which explains his came back from the dead. Curious how a Rome. Most of us will never face such a long rule, and – unlike devoted man of the superstitious Roman fate. But there are times when our faith his predecessors – avoided violence religious world sees Paul as “crazy”! But may bring us to rejection, criticism, as a pattern for control. He is the sole Paul is calm and assured in his defense. misunderstanding and diffi cult choices. reasonable Herod. Paul next appeals to Agrippa, whose Following Christ can be diffi cult, but it Our story begins in Acts 21, when Paul Jewish background should have off ered also means blessings. makes his fi nal appearance in Jerusalem. at least a sympathetic hearing, if not Is it not amazing that God used a Paul is hated by the priests and Sanhedrin support. Paul asks Agrippa the loaded Jewish scholar of the Law, instead of a (ruling Jewish council), who regard him question: “Do you believe the prophets? winsome Gentile convert, to spread the as the enemy of God. When he appears I know you do” (26:27). Agrippa is in good news of Jesus across the empire? in the Temple compound his enemies stir an awkward position: if he even appears Paul gave up much that he treasured most up a riot with the intention of killing Paul. to be sympathetic to Paul the Jewish of his life, as he states in Philippians 3:7-8: Th e Roman garrison, stationed adjacent authorities will threaten his political “But whatever things were gain to me, to the Temple complex, intervenes to position with Rome. Siding with Paul those things I have counted as loss for the assert control and arrest Paul until any could also suggest he is sympathetic to sake of Christ. More than that, I count all charges can be determined (21:27-33). the Christian movement. Yes, he knows things to be loss in view of the surpassing Marcus Antonius Felix was governor the prophets, but he does not want to value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, of Jerusalem at the time of Paul’s arrest, become enmeshed in a religious/political for whom I have suff ered the loss of all holding Paul in the hope of receiving a controversy that could destroy his life of things, and count them as rubbish in bribe from Paul for his freedom. Luke wealth and power. So Agrippa, instead of order that I may gain Christ” (NASV). explains that Felix left Paul in prison as a warning Felix that this whole situation favor to the Jews and leaves the festering is a black hole of disaster that should be Our world confronts us with anger of the Jewish leaders unresolved. quietly dismissed and Paul exiled from overwhelming needs daily. Listen to the region, chooses to defl ect Paul’s the news on your car radio, turn on the Due to Felix’s various indiscretions, the testimony. Agrippa says, “Paul, are you television at home, check Twitter and Romans replaced him with Porcius Festus. trying to convert me to your faith as a your emails – there is no end to tragedy Th e new governor arranges a hearing follower of this Christ?” (26:28). Paul’s and need. Is there a place, a need, a to sort out this volatile situation. Jewish answer is powerful and clearly void of person whom you can help in the power leaders repeat their original accusations politics: “No matter how long it takes, I of Christ? We all have abilities and and Paul insists that he did not violate pray to God that you and everyone who resources that can make a diff erence. the Temple or incite opposition to the hears me today in this courtroom will Invest yourself. Love, give away and allow emperor (25:6-8). Knowing that a fair become a follower of Christ, without yourself to be vulnerable. trial and outcome will not be determined these chains” (26:29). in Jerusalem, Paul, as a Roman citizen, Agrippa put up his religious barrier, invokes his right to a trial in the highest What do we learn from these men who Festus hid behind the self-serving empire, court of Caesar (22:25-29). examined the life of a Roman citizen and but Paul went on to the hardships of former Pharisee devoted to telling the prison in Rome and more opportunities Festus faces a complex problem: the Roman Empire about God’s love made to share Christ in that world. It is obvious Jewish leaders want Paul’s blood and Roman real in Jesus the Christ? Festus was a who lived the more meaningful life, made law protects its citizens. But how will the man of the world, valuing position and a lasting diff erence, and continues to bless governor explain this case to Rome and power above all else. He treated religion God’s people in this 21st Century. Faith how can he avoid a major riot in Jerusalem as a government-sponsored system that in God comes when you move beyond that could threaten Festus’ position? Festus accepts anything and does not interfere the questions to trust in the loving Father invites Herod Agrippa II and his sister with established authority. Agrippa who gave his only begotten Son as the gift Bernice to join in this preliminary hearing accepted the traditional religion of his of life everlasting. to hopefully clarify the problem and to people, allowing its forms, but not its word the indictment that must be sent to Retired aft er almost 50 years in pastoral substance, to shape his power or position. Rome. Paul appears before the Roman ministry, Michael K. Olmsted enjoys His faith was familiar, but shallow. governor of Judea and the Jewish puppet family, supply preaching and interim work, king of Galilee to make his defense. Paul is a dramatic contrast to these two literature, history, the arts and antiques.

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