October 26, 2026 - Acts 25-26

Paul’s enemies asked Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem for a trial, and they “were planning an ambush to kill him on the way” (25:3).  Festus denied the request and had the Jewish leaders come to Caesarea where Paul was being held.  Festus, seeking the approval of the Jews, appealed to Paul and asked if he was willing to go up to Jerusalem.  Paul, very much aware of what was going on and noting that any charges against him would come from Rome, replied, “I appeal to Caesar” (25:11).  “Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, ‘To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go’” (25:12).  In the meantime, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and Paul was able to make his case before Agrippa.  Paul told of his persecution of the Jews, then of his conversion.  Agrippa’s response and Paul’s plea:  “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.’  Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them.  And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, ‘This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.  And Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar’” (26:28-32).  No matter the circumstances, Paul was telling the gospel!  A good model for us!  To all who, like Agrippa, would delay, the hymn writer calls:

The waters are troubled,

The angel is here;

The fountain of mercy

Flows healing and clear;

O come in your sorrow,

And come in your sin;

The water are troubled,

Step in, O step in!

The waters are troubled,

No longer delay;

The fountain of mercy

Has healing today.

Then why will you linger,

Since life you may win?

The waters are troubled,

Step in, O step in!   --Jeremiah Eames Rankin (1878)