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Day 41 Acts 21:1-26:32 Paul went to Jerusalem to testify of Jesus, and when he arrived and went into the temple with four men to fulfill vows before God, many Jews saw him there and stirred up the people against him. Paul in his defense spoke to the people how he persecuted those who professed Jesus as the Son of God, risen from the dead, and how he saw the light of Jesus on the road to Damascus and gave testimony to how he became a Christian. At which point those who listened, rioted against him. Then the captain of the guard took him and bound him to keep him safe and put him in the prison. However, when Paul told him he was a Roman, the captain hurried to release him and hear why the people rioted against him. When the captain of the guard heard all Paul told him and received word from Paul’s nephew that men intended to kill him, the captain of the guard sent him to Felix in Caesarea. Felix also heard both sides of the situation and didn’t hand Paul over to the men who wanted to kill him. Instead, Paul appealed to Caesar. Knowing Felix had no choice but to send him to Rome. Felix kept him bound in Caesarea for two years and heard him often, but did nothing to Paul. In that time, King Agrippa and his wife Queen Bernice also came to Caesarea to commune with Felix and heard Paul’s testimony. At which Paul asked the crucial question: Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, believe thou the prophets? I know that thou believe. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuade me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. When people are caught in the act of a crime, they have their day in court. Paul had more than one day in court, he had two years in court and in prison before he appealed to Caesar. Those who kept him bound knew one thing, Paul was innocent. As Christians, you come under persecution from time to time. Though for many Christians, it is no more than taunts and jeers about your faith. However, many Christians have died for their faith. Yet, it doesn’t stop you from preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Your testimony of what Jesus did for you is what brings others to know Him as Savior and Lord. How you live your life, your daily actions and lifestyle, not only your testimony, will either persuade people to believe, or they will reject your testimony, as King Agrippa did when Paul put the question to him. Can people accuse you of being a Christian? Can you stand before a court in opposition to the gospel and present Jesus, testifying about what He did for you? Let’s pray: Father, You know my heart. You know my life. Give me a message and testimony so people will know I belong to You. Let my words and actions line up as I present Your gospel to whoever will listen. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 21 February 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay