Luke the beloved physician wrote while Paul was making a defense himself before king Agrippa and others, “Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost you persuade me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse thirty of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice” where we read:
And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor,
and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
The verse begins, “And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when he had thus spoken” which means “and at the time and moment he, Paul, said his final words”, “the king rose up” or “the leader, prince, commander and lord of the land arose from his seat”, “and the governor” which means “and the leader, guide, ruler, prefect, president, chief, general, commander and sovereign, who was Festus”. Luke shared how “king Agrippa” and “governor Festus” rose from their seats after “Paul” made his final statement.
The verse goes on to say, “... and Bernice, and they that sat with them:” Luke continued with the words, “and Bernice” which means “and Bernice whose name means bring victory and was the eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa 1”, “and they that sat with them” or “and the people who were seated along with king Agrippa, Festus and Bernice”. Luke shared how “Bernice” and all the people sitting with them also rose up from their seats to leave.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn after “Paul's” final words to “king Agrippa” and “Festus”, the king, Festus, Bernice and the people with them arose from their seats to leave the judgment area. We shall see what they say in our next verse, but for now, let us imagine the judgment hall was like a “church service” for all of them. They had an opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and they walked out without a commitment. Many people do the same today. They are given the truth of God's love through His Son Jesus who died in their place for their sins, and they refused to receive His gift of salvation. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are available to every person who yields themselves to Jesus, and those who are wise do not “rise up” and leave the greatest opportunity in the world.
Next time Luke shares how, “this man does nothing worthy of death or bonds”, 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".
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