The beloved physician Luke 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 when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how the leaders declare, “this man does nothing worthy of death or bonds” where we read:
And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying,
This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
The verse begins, “And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when they were gone aside” which means “and at the time and moment king Agrippa, Festus, Bernice and those with them were withdrawn from the judgment place”, “they talked between themselves” or “king Agrippa, Festus, Bernice and those with them spoke with words in order to declare and disclose their minds and thoughts”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Luke shared at the time that “king Agrippa, Festus, Bernice and the others with them left the judgment area, they began to speak with one another and said the following words.
The verse continues, “... This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.” Luke added the words, “this man does nothing” which means “this male human being, Paul, performs, makes ready and perpetrates not one act or deed that is” “worthy of death” or “befitting, congruous to and meriting having his life lost” “or of bonds” which means “or belonging to chains, bands, shackles and impediments”. Luke shared how “king Agrippa, Festus, Bernice and the others with them” determined that “Paul” had done “nothing” that merited his being put to “death” or being kept in chains.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “king Agrippa, Festus, Benice and the other people with them” began to talk once they left the judgment area where “Paul” gave testimony to them. They began to discuss among themselves the innocence of “Paul” who, although he presented the gospel of Jesus Christ to them, was not in any violation of the law which merited his death or incarceration. God, however, had a different plan in mind. “Paul” was to be sent to Rome so he could bear witness of the saving grace of Jesus Christ to the people there. God loves people, and His message of salvation through His Son Jesus is for the entire world. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He rose from the grave three days later so that anyone who surrenders their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life in Heaven. Those who are wise not only consider “Paul's” innocence, but also the message he gave to the leaders who judged him and afterward “come” to Jesus who will save them for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares, “then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar”, 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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