“Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘I
would like to hear this man myself.’ He
(Festus) replied, ‘Tomorrow you will hear him.’” Acts 25:22
Festus, the governor of the region,
brought Paul, who had been arrested in Jerusalem
on trumped-up charges, before King Agrippa.
Before bringing Paul in before the king, Festus explained from his point
of view what was the situation concerning Paul’s arrest. After hearing this explanation, Agrippa was
fascinated by what he heard and wanted to hear more of the story directly from
Paul. The story being related to Agrippa
was compelling enough to warrant hearing more.
This allowed Paul to stand before Agrippa to tell the account of the
life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Paul’s Lord.
There have been times in my life
when I have acted as if the Good News in my life was only “Okay” News. It wasn’t the powerful, transformational
story of the God of the Universe invading this world – and our lives – with the
Good News of Jesus, His Son. There is
nothing boring about the story of Jesus in my life, and there is nothing boring
about this story in yours! He is the one
who brings excitement and adventure into each of our lives, and that story
should just burst out of us.
Unfortunately, in my life, it doesn’t quite do that, and I can, at
times, be so complacent. A close brother
of mine inspires me because of the way he chooses to live the story of Jesus in
his life. Paul’s story compelled Festus
because of the choice he, Paul, made to follow Jesus.
Questions
to consider: Is the story we have to tell compelling enough to make people
wonder about the Good News within us?
How good – really – is the Good News we have to share? Do we live our lives as if it is the best
news we’ve ever heard and will ever hear?
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving
us the Best News we could ever hope to receive – the gift of true life in the
life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. Help me to choose to live as if this story
was the best news ever. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment