The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul told Festus, “I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Have you appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shall you go”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea”, where we read:
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
The verse begins, “And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea ...” Luke began with the words, “and after certain days” which means “and following a particular number of sunrises to sunsets” “king Agrippa” or “the leader, prince, commander and lord of the land whose name was Agrippa which means hero-like” “and Bernice” which means “and Bernice whose name means bring victory and was the eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa” “came unto Caesarea” or “arose and appeared in the city of Caesarea whose name means severed and was Caesarea of Palestine was built near the Mediterranean by Herod the Great on the site of Strabo's Tower, between Joppa and Dora”. Luke shared how the ruler named “Agrippa” along with his sister “Bernice” came to the city of “Caesarea” and for the following reason.
The verse goes on to say, “... to salute Festus.” Luke continued with the words, “to salute” which means “to welcome, receive joyfully and wish well to” “Festus” whose name means “festival” and was “the successor of Felix as procurator of Judea”. Luke shared how “king Agrippa” and “Bernice” came to “Caesarea” to welcome and receive “Festus” joyfully.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the “king” named “Agrippa” and his sister “Bernice” came to where “Festus” was in “Caesarea”. Their purpose was to “welcome” him, and they did so with a joyful spirit. Each of these people were influential in the “Roman government”, and “Paul” would share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all of them. God loves people, and He desires to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Anyone who believes and trusts in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words understand how these “royal” people were also of interest to God, and all of them needed to be saved and forgiven of their sins.
Next time Luke shares how Festus tells King Agrippa, “there is a certain man left in bonds by Felix”, 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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