The beloved physician Luke wrote how King Agrippa told Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse three of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told King Agrippa, “I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews” where we read:
Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently.
The verse begins, “Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews:” Luke began with the words, “Especially because I know you” which means “chiefly, mostly and above all since and on account that I, Paul, understand, perceive, notice and discern you, king Agrippa” “to be expert in all customs” or “to exist as a knower and connoisseur in each, every, the whole and everyone of the prescriptions, rites and manners” “and questions which are among the Jews” which means “and debates about the law that exist with the Jewish people as respects to birth, origin and religion”. Luke shared how “Paul” acknowledged the “expertise” within “king Agrippa” who was well aware of all the “prescriptions, rites, manners and debates within the law” that belonged to the Jewish people.
The verse continues, “wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently.” Luke added the words, “wherefore I beseech you” which means “therefore, then and on this account I, Paul, beckon, beg, request and ask you, king Agrippa” “to hear me patiently” or “to be endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving, understanding, attending to and considering me, Paul, with long-animity, mercy and leniency”. Luke shared how “Paul” asked “king Agrippa” to be merciful and lenient with him as he defended himself.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” acknowledged “king Agrippa's” experience and understanding of the Jewish laws and customs. This would allow him to be a fare and knowledgable judge, and therefore, “Paul” requested that he be met with “leniency and mercy” while he defended himself. “Paul” was wise in his approach to sharing the gospel. He noted the experience of “king Agrippa” and entreated him to be merciful as he spoke because he knew by acting in this manner, “king Agrippa” might be more inclined to listen carefully to what he had to say. God desired to reach this entire group of people with His gospel through “Paul”, and “Paul” was setting the stage to bring about his testimony of the change Jesus made in his life. Every person who humbles themselves, comes to Jesus and repents of their sins will be forgiven by God and receive everlasting life from Him. This invitation is to everyone regardless of their positions and place in life, and those who are wise will carefully study this testimony of “Paul” and yield to Jesus who changed him forever.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa about his, “manner of life”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment