"Almost Thou Persuadest Me"
Paul had appealed to Caesar, and Festus could not do otherwise than send him to Rome.But some time passed before a suitable ship could be found; and as other prisoners were to be sent with Paul, the consideration of their cases also occasioned delay.This gave Paul opportunity to present the reasons of his faith before the principal men of Caesarea, and also before King Agrippa II, the last of the Herods.
"After certain days King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him." He outlined the circumstances that led to the prisoner's appeal to Caesar, telling of Paul's recent trial before him, and saying that the Jews had brought against Paul no accusation such as he had supposed they would bring, but "certain questions...of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive."As Festus told his story, Agrippa became interested and said, "I would also hear the man myself." In harmony with his wish, a meeting was arranged for the following day."And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth."In honor of his visitors, Festus had sought to make this an occasion of imposing display.The rich robes of the procurator and his guests, the swords of the soldiers, and the gleaming armor of their commanders, lent brilliancy to the scene.
And now Paul, still manacled, stood before the assembled company.What a contrast was here presented! Agrippa and Bernice possessed power and position, and because of this they were favored by the world.But they were destitute of the traits of character that God esteems.They were transgressors of His law, corrupt in heart and life.Their course of action was abhorred by heaven.
The aged prisoner, chained to his soldier guard, had in his appearance nothing that would lead the world to pay him homage.Yet in this man, apparently without friends or wealth or position, and held a prisoner for his faith in the Son of God, all heaven was interested.Angels were his attendants.Had the glory of one of those shining messengers flashed forth, the pomp and pride of royalty would have paled; king and courtiers would have been stricken to the earth, as were the Roman guards at the sepulcher of Christ.
Festus himself presented Paul to the assembly with the words: "King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord.Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O King Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him."King Agrippa now gave Paul liberty to speak for himself.The apostle was not disconcerted by the brilliant display or the high rank of his audience; for he knew of how little worth are worldly wealth and position.Earthly pomp and power could not for a moment daunt his courage or rob him of his self-control.
