“’When the accusers got up to speak, they did not charge
him with any of the crimes I had expected.
Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own
religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.’” Acts 25:18-19.
Paul
was transferred to Caesarea to be brought
before King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice.
Festus, the governor of the region, explained to the king the events
surrounding Paul’s arrest. Festus’ viewpoint
gives us some insight into how the “outside world” views followers of Jesus. He also gives us some insight on how we
respond to news concerning Jesus.
It
seems to me that our viewpoint of Jesus is not much different than Festus. He never actually saw Jesus and only relied
on that which was told to him. This is
true for us, as well. We have never
actually seen Jesus and we are reliant on others who told us the stories about
Jesus. The people around me in my world
act as though Jesus were dead, or at least irrelevant, to them. It is easy to understand why these people
would feel this way. After all, they’ve
never actually met Jesus in the flesh.
Paul staked his life on following Jesus and spreading the word
concerning Him. Where do you stand?
Questions
to consider: What is their viewpoint?
What makes Jesus real to you? Do
you know Jesus in a similar way as Festus or as Paul? Who is Jesus to you?
Prayer: Father, I am grateful for Your still,
peaceful voice that speaks to me within my soul. I know that Jesus is Your Son because of the
Holy Spirit’s presence within me. He
confirms Your reality over and over again!
Thank You! Amen.
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