Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Wednesday, 29 October 2014 "Paul, Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar"

Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Wednesday, 29 October 2014 "Paul, Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar"
Daily Scripture: Acts 25:9 Festus, though, wanted to get on the good side of the Jews and so said, “How would you like to go up to Jerusalem, and let me conduct your trial there?”
10-11 Paul answered, “I’m standing at this moment before Caesar’s bar of justice, where I have a perfect right to stand. And I’m going to keep standing here. I’ve done nothing wrong to the Jews, and you know it as well as I do. If I’ve committed a crime and deserve death, name the day. I can face it. But if there’s nothing to their accusations—and you know there isn’t—nobody can force me to go along with their nonsense. We’ve fooled around here long enough. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Festus huddled with his advisors briefly and then gave his verdict: “You’ve appealed to Caesar; you’ll go to Caesar!”
“I Couldn’t Just Walk Away”
26:1-3 Agrippa spoke directly to Paul: “Go ahead—tell us about yourself.”
Paul took the stand and told his story. “I can’t think of anyone, King Agrippa, before whom I’d rather be answering all these Jewish accusations than you, knowing how well you are acquainted with Jewish ways and all our family quarrels.
4-8 “From the time of my youth, my life has been lived among my own people in Jerusalem. Practically every Jew in town who watched me grow up—and if they were willing to stick their necks out they’d tell you in person—knows that I lived as a strict Pharisee, the most demanding branch of our religion. It’s because I believed it and took it seriously, committed myself heart and soul to what God promised my ancestors—the identical hope, mind you, that the twelve tribes have lived for night and day all these centuries—it’s because I have held on to this tested and tried hope that I’m being called on the carpet by the Jews. They should be the ones standing trial here, not me! For the life of me, I can’t see why it’s a criminal offense to believe that God raises the dead.
9-11 “I admit that I didn’t always hold to this position. For a time I thought it was my duty to oppose this Jesus of Nazareth with all my might. Backed with the full authority of the high priests, I threw these believers—I had no idea they were God’s people!—into the Jerusalem jail right and left, and whenever it came to a vote, I voted for their execution. I stormed through their meeting places, bullying them into cursing Jesus, a one-man terror obsessed with obliterating these people. And then I started on the towns outside Jerusalem.
12-14 “One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action, right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?’
15-16 “I said, ‘Who are you, Master?’
“The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you.
17-18 “‘I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’
19-20 “What could I do, King Agrippa? I couldn’t just walk away from a vision like that! I became an obedient believer on the spot. I started preaching this life-change—this radical turn to God and everything it meant in everyday life—right there in Damascus, went on to Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside, and from there to the whole world.
21-23 “It’s because of this ‘whole world’ dimension that the Jews grabbed me in the Temple that day and tried to kill me. They want to keep God for themselves. But God has stood by me, just as he promised, and I’m standing here saying what I’ve been saying to anyone, whether king or child, who will listen. And everything I’m saying is completely in line with what the prophets and Moses said would happen: One, the Messiah must die; two, raised from the dead, he would be the first rays of God’s daylight shining on people far and near, people both godless and God-fearing.”
24 That was too much for Festus. He interrupted with a shout: “Paul, you’re crazy! You’ve read too many books, spent too much time staring off into space! Get a grip on yourself, get back in the real world!”
25-27 But Paul stood his ground. “With all respect, Festus, Your Honor, I’m not crazy. I’m both accurate and sane in what I’m saying. The king knows what I’m talking about. I’m sure that nothing of what I’ve said sounds crazy to him. He’s known all about it for a long time. You must realize that this wasn’t done behind the scenes. You believe the prophets, don’t you, King Agrippa? Don’t answer that—I know you believe.”
28 But Agrippa did answer: “Keep this up much longer and you’ll make a Christian out of me!”
29 Paul, still in chains, said, “That’s what I’m praying for, whether now or later, and not only you but everyone listening today, to become like me—except, of course, for this prison jewelry!”
30-31 The king and the governor, along with Bernice and their advisors, got up and went into the next room to talk over what they had heard. They quickly agreed on Paul’s innocence, saying, “There’s nothing in this man deserving prison, let alone death.”
32 Agrippa told Festus, “He could be set free right now if he hadn’t requested the hearing before Caesar.”
Reflection Questions:
Paul stayed in Roman custody for two years, safe from plotters (cf. Acts 24). Then a new Roman governor, Porcius Festus, saw it as good politics to please the Jewish leaders by sending Paul back to Jerusalem. But that journey still risked ambush. Paul, born in Tarsus and therefore a Roman citizen, used his legal right to appeal to Caesar. This assured him a trip to Rome under Roman protection (albeit as a prisoner). His strong testimony to Jesus triggered strong reactions in Festus and King Agrippa (a great-grandson of Herod the Great).
In Acts 26:8, Paul posed a question that is still fundamental for Christian witness: "Why is it inconceivable to you that God raises the dead?" Some unbelievers might say, "I've never seen it happen." But we believe all kinds of things about our world and universe that we've never personally observed. Can you trust as strongly in Jesus' resurrection as Paul did? How can you, in love and concern, pose the question he posed?
We sometimes say, "God doesn't call the equipped." It's true that God isn't dependent on our human abilities or credentials. But Paul's final journey showed God using Paul's training as a Pharisee, his Roman citizenship by birth, and his passionate Christian witness—a strikingly unique set of attributes that Peter, John or James would not have had. What qualities do you bring to your service for God that may allow you to serve in ways others might not be able to?
Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, as I read this story, I'm not sure I could carry out the hugely challenging mission you gave Paul. But I do ask that you'll guide me and strengthen me to do the tasks you set before me each day. Amen.
Insight from Kari Burgess
Kari Burgess is a Program Director for the Catalyst team, handling promotion and marketing for all of the conferences held at Resurrection, as well as registration and coordinating hospitality volunteers.
In reading today’s scripture passage from Acts, I’m inspired by how succinctly, systematically and boldly Paul lays out his case for Jesus. He has the opportunity to tell the story, the whole story, to a group of people who are not exactly “open” to hearing about Jesus. And Festus says, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!” With the benefit of hindsight, my first reaction is that Paul has presented his case so well. How could that not convince Festus and King Agrippa to believe?
On the other hand, Paul must have sounded like a lunatic to them. Think about it. If we read this story online today, we would likely toss it out as nonsense. I am confident I would think it sounded like something straight from a tabloid magazine and completely dismiss it.
Then I wondered, whatever happened to King Agrippa and Festus? Did they ever come to believe? In our text King Agrippa says, “Do you think in such a short time you can convince me to become a Christian?” After all, how many people can believe this story after hearing it just one time? History indicates that King Agrippa and Festus likely never came to believe. And I wonder: how many times did someone share the gospel with them?
Paul was the great evangelist, and we too are called to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah to the ends of the earth. Paul was so good at this—he loved Jesus so much that he couldn’t help but proclaim the Good News wherever he went, no matter his circumstances. The Good News oozed from every pore of his being; it was the core of who he was. How can we live up to this same calling today?
Many of you are likely familiar with the song “Fifteen,” by Greg Long. (If you’ve not heard it before, click here to read the lyrics.) Essentially, the song encourages us as Christians to tell people about Jesus every chance we get, because someone may need to hear about Jesus one time or 15 times before they “get it,” before they believe the story. Actually, it may take 100 times to counteract the negative experiences some have had with the church, and the sad reality is many will never come to believe. But every positive encounter someone has can tweak their interest. And this is, after all, our calling.
Evangelism can take many forms. It can be as simple as doing a kindness for a neighbor or acquaintance. Bringing a meal to someone who is sick. Picking up and returning dropped cash to the person in line in front of you at Target. Mentioning the coat drive your church is hosting. And doing each of these things because of your love for Jesus Christ, and in His name. These things are simple, come easily to most of us and may not even feel like “evangelism.” But these soft touches can be an influence on a non-religious or nominally religious person.
A little more challenging can be letting someone know you have been praying for them during a difficult time. Attempting to answer the “why” question to friend struggling with a cancer diagnosis. Inviting a neighbor to church, or to take The Alpha course. Sharing your faith journey over coffee with a nominally religious friend. Asking a friend if they know the gospel story. You will need to be a little more prepared to share in these ways. I encourage you to think about your own faith journey, and how you might share your story with others.
Here are a few resources that might be helpful:
Pastor Adam’s book Why?, available at The Well Bookstore.
The Alpha, Embark and Journey 101 classes are designed to guide you on your journey of faith, and can help you or someone you know learn what it means to become a deeply committed Christian.
The Group Life Ministry has developed a 3-week course called “Cultivate: Developing a Lifestyle of Sharing Your Faith Stories.” This is available as a DVD for small groups to equip members with the courage, skills and tools to engage people in thoughtful conversations about faith. For more information about using in your small group (or an upcoming session at the Leawood Campus), contact Jon Edlin (jon.edlin@cor.org).
Will you be the one to bring someone you know to believe in Jesus? You may not ever share in someone’s actual conversion moment, but you can contribute by being one of those soft touches, by telling your story of coming to faith and how you are different because of it. Your enthusiasm for your faith, and willingness to tell someone else why you love Jesus, could be touch #5. You may never know the difference you’ve made in someone’s faith journey. That doesn’t matter. Don’t miss the chance to be bold, as Paul was!
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"Fifteen" by Greg Long from the album Born Again 
I was sitting at the table
As the waitress took our order
In her eyes I knew that something wasn't right
And before I saw it coming
I was caught up in her story
Of the storms that she had weathered in her life
My friend said can we pray for you
She said I think I'd like you to
She walked away, we bowed our heads
But then he turned to me and said
If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause, I may be the third, may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen
Just a chapter in a story
With the ending still unwritten
Do they find the truth of Jesus after all As I listen for the whispers
And I follow where they lead me
I pray that I'll be faithful to the call
If I'm who I'm supposed to be
I know that God can work through me
I may not understand it now
But I believe somehow
If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause I may be the third, may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen
God I don't want to miss the chances
When you open the door
What may seem so insignificant
You see so much more
If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause I may be the third, may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen

What if I'm fifteen
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