You Are Out Of Your Mind!

July 1

I Chronicles 1-2

Psalm 77:7-15

Proverbs 16:32-33

Acts 26

“You Are Out Of Your Mind!”

“Now while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind!  Great learning is driving you out of your mind.’  But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.  For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.  King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets?  I know you believe.’  But Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In such short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?’”  Acts 26:24-27  LSB

Paul had been arrested and imprisoned and had appealed to Rome to appear before Caesar.  He was a Roman citizen so the Jews were not allowed to put a Roman citizen to death.  In Acts 25-26, Paul appeared before Governor Festus and King Agrippa in Caesarea before he was transferred to Rome.  Agrippa would have to send a letter accompanying him so he wanted more information about Paul so that he could give an accurate account to Caesar.  Neither Festus nor Agrippa had any idea that this was more than an ordinary hearing of a criminal.  Paul used the opportunity to give His testimony.  He was not pleading innocence or begging for mercy which is probably what they expected.  He began by appealing to Agrippa’s knowledge and understanding of Jewish customs and traditions.  He then told them about his past experience as a Pharisee explaining how he had persecuted Christians imprisoning them and consenting to their execution.  But then he described his miraculous encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and Jesus’ command to spread the gospel to the Gentile world.  He went on to explain his new mission to tell both Jews and Gentiles about Jesus giving them an opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness because of the hope of the resurrection of Jesus.  Festus accused Paul of being out of his mind but Agrippa was at least curious and wanted more information.  Paul was given an amazing opportunity to share his testimony with 2 men who had a great deal of power and influence.  Instead of being afraid of what they would think of him or do to him, he boldly told them about what Jesus had done for him. 

This is a wonderful example for us.  While we may not have an experience like Paul’s on the road to Damascus, we each have a testimony about what Jesus has done in our lives.  Paul didn’t tell them the ABC’s of salvation or some other prepared gospel presentation.  He told them about his own experience with Jesus and how he had been convinced that Jesus is God’s Son and as a result his life had completely changed.  Festus thought he was crazy just as some people will respond when we tell them about Jesus, but Agrippa listened.  We aren’t told if he ever came to faith but he heard and was able to make a decision.  We are commanded to tell people about Jesus.  We are not accountable for their response, but if we don’t tell them they won’t have the opportunity to decide.  We need to boldly take advantage of every chance we are given to tell our story about Jesus to anyone who will listen.