Imagination, what a wonderful Gift

Acts 26:12-29

Imagination, what a wonderful gift!  But it is no different than any other gift that God has bestowed on us; if it is not used it goes the way of high school algebra.   Will you ask the Spirit of Truth to allow you to be part of the crowd in the audience hall?   You are watching King Agrippa and Bernice enter with great splendor, it’s the first time you have seen the new governor Festus, and there is much hope that he will govern honestly and not like Felix.  The atmosphere in the hall is almost a festival event, and you wish your family could see what you are seeing, but it quite amazing that you, a common man, was allowed to witness such an event. 

Now I missed some of what Paul has said in his defense, but all of a sudden, Paul begins to tell about a journey to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, to lock up any of the ones who were followers of Jesus of Nazareth.  You may not believe me but these are Paul words: “At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

(Acts 26:13-18 ESV)

I’m just a common man, but my friend Reuben who was sitting beside me had heard Paul speak and was now also a follower of this Jesus of Nazareth, and he whispered in my ear, it is as he says.  I ask him to be quiet, for Paul was now addressing the King; “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:19-23)

Now I remember the teaching I had received as a small child at temple, and all that Paul was saying seemed to come together with the teaching of Messiah, and being lost in thought, it was as if I was awakened by these words from Festus the governor; “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” (Acts 26:24-29 ESV)

Reuben and I left the hall and we walked without a word for some time, and then Reuben stopped, he got my attention and he said, do you believe in Jesus of Nazareth?  Many years have passed since that day, but Jesus of Nazareth is still asking that same question.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice