Acts 24 records Paul’s defense before the Roman Governor Felix. The Jews spoke first accusing Paul of crimes punishable by death, but Paul responded to the attack with calm assurances He had not done anything of which they accused him. He admitted to being a follower of “The Way,” which was the preferred name Christians had for themselves at the time. He appealed to Felix’s knowledge of the Way, but Felix left the matter undecided for two years. He called for Paul frequently, hoping Paul would offer him a bribe, which he never did. When Felix was reassigned, he left Paul in prison as a favor to the Jews, which meant Paul’s fate would be decided by the next governor, Porcius Festus.
In Acts 25, Festus gives the Jews an opportunity to speak against Paul again. They made charges they couldn’t substantiate, and then Paul made his defense. Festus didn’t see any real issues, but as a favor to the Jews, he asked Paul whether he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial. Paul responded he was in Caesar’s court where he belonged, and he was willing to take any just punishment that would be decided, but he appealed to Caesar. Before Festus made a decision, King Agrippa, the Jewish figure-head king, came to visit in Caesarea. Festus told him about Paul, and also said he didn’t see anything wrong with Paul, but Paul had appealed to Caesar, so he was going to send Paul to Rome. Before doing that, Festus wanted to have a proper charge to offer the emperor. He didn’t have one. King Agrippa said he would be glad to listen to Paul, and an audience was arranged.
In Acts 26, Paul offers his defense before King Agrippa and Queen Bernice. Once again, Paul rehearses his testimony, going into greater detail, because he understood King Agrippa was of Jewish background, and knew about Jesus, and “The Way.” As Paul was talking about his Damascus road experience, Festus interrupted, shouting that Paul had gone mad, because of his extensive learning. Paul responded he was not mad, and that King Agrippa was well aware of all that had happened, because it wasn’t done “in a corner.” He appealed to Agrippa’s knowledge of the prophets. Agrippa responded, “In such a short time do you think you can make me a Christian?” Paul’s response was whether it was short time or long, he wished that all people were as he was except for the chains. After the presentation, Agrippa and Festus agreed Paul had done nothing deserving of punishment, and that he could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. Think about that. Paul could have been set if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar. Yet, the Lord had already told him he would be appearing before Caesar. Paul’s appeal was part of God’s larger plan to see the gospel preached everywhere. Sometimes, we experience challenges in our life that make no sense to us at the time, but when we put them in God’s hands, he uses them for His good. Paul’s imprisonment was not a good thing, but God used it to bring glory to Himself, because Paul submitted to His lordship even in prison.
As we return to Matthew 9, Matthew offers us another string of miracles by Jesus. The order is somewhat different than that presented by Mark or Luke, but many of the miracles are the same. Jesus heals the paralytic, for whom He also forgives his sins. He calls Matthew as a disciple raising the ire of the religious leaders. Jesus heals the woman with the flow of blood, raises a little girl from the dead, heals a couple of blind men, and a man who couldn’t speak. The power of Jesus is so obvious, and His compassion equally obvious. As the chapter ends, Jesus points out to His followers the “harvest” is plentiful, but the laborers are few. He then tells them to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the harvest. This is such a vital and powerful prayer. We know the Lord wants everyone to be saved. We have the role of being workers in the harvest, and we’re called to work in the harvest fields ourselves. As we’ll see tomorrow, Jesus had told the apostles to prayer for workers, and then virtually immediately, He sent them into the fields to work!