Judging themselves unworthy of eternal life
July 20, 2009 (Monday)
Before appealing to Rome, the Apostle Paul was tried before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the Roman Governor Felix, his successor Festus, and King Agrippa II. The “trials” were actually informal hearings rather than formal trials, but let’s just call them “trials” for our purposes in this blog. The first one, before the Sanhedrin, would have resulted in a “guilty” verdict, and a sentence of death, but it was interrupted by physical abuse of Paul by the members, resulting in Paul’s being rescued by the Roman authorities. Paul was found neither guilty nor innocent in the other three trials, but when faced with the certainty that Governor Festus was going to send him back to the Jews for trial, Paul appealed to Caesar.
Let’s take a look at the three judges: Felix, Festus and Agrippa. In the first place, when one reads Acts 24, 25 and 26, he/she gets the clear impression that something greater than Paul’s fate is at stake. Indeed, the judges seem to be on trial before the Apostle, and their eternal fate hangs in the balance.
Paul pleads with each of them to consider Jesus Christ and his claims upon the lives of people of all nations. He relates his conversion experience time and again, and pleads with his judges to believe that Jesus is alive and powerful. How did they respond?
Felix, a wicked man, was afraid when Paul spoke of spiritual matters of eternal consequence, but he would only say to Paul, “Go, and when I find it convenient, I will call for you.” He rejected Jesus.
Festus, who seemed to be a fair-minded man, yet a shrewd politician, played to the crowds who demanded Paul’s death, and would not find Paul innocent, even though he obviously believed him to be so. He compromised his beliefs for political expediency.
Agrippa listened intently to Paul, and responded to him, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian.” Almost, but lost.
Three judges were on trial before Paul. They were offered forgiveness of sins, but rejected it. By rejecting Jesus, they pronounced judgment upon themselves. All who follow their path do the same.