Crazy or Cogent
Scripture Reading: Acts 26:24-29
Paul’s appearance before King Herod Agrippa and the Festus, the governor of Judea, is one of my favorite narratives about Paul’s ministry experiences. Festus is in a bind because Paul, as a Roman citizen, has appealed his case to Caesar. Festus was obligated to send Paul to Rome, but he hadn’t found where Paul had violated any Roman laws, and Festus was aware that Nero wouldn’t take kindly to one of his governors sending trivial matters of local concern to him in Rome. Therefore, Festus was delaying while he tried to figure out what to do. He had to keep peace with the Jews, but he also had to tread cautiously with Rome.
When King Herod comes to visit, Agrippa uses the opportunity to seek counsel from him about Paul’s case. Agrippa’s interest was aroused, so he had Paul brought before him to hear him out. My ESV version of chapter 26, begins with the added heading, “Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa.” It is that, and that is how most Bibles and commentaries refer to this meeting. Paul himself begins his speech by saying, “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today…” (26:2).
But Paul’s defense is much more than a personal defense, seeking acquittal. Paul preaches the gospel and appeals for the conversion of King Herod, and the governor, Festus. Paul begins in the dock (“dock” is an older word used for the place where defendants stand during their trial. C.S. Lewis used it in his essay entitled “God in the Dock,” and it stuck with me). But Paul turns the tables and by the end of chapter 26, Agrippa and Festus are in the dock. This meeting began with Agrippa thinking he was going to pass judgment on Paul’s case and ended with Agrippa on trial before the gaze of God.
Toward the end of Paul’s sermon, when he says that the Old Testament was about the death and resurrection of Christ, Festus, likely due to the conviction he felt, yelled out, “Paul you are out of your mind…” Agrippa responded by saying, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” Of course, Paul’s answer was, “absolutely!”
The declaration of the gospel seems like madness to some, usually those who realize the truth of it in their heart, their conscience bearing witness to their need for a Savior, but the hardness of their heart turns them against those who seek their salvation. Paul understood this kind of reaction. It is the way he reacted before his conversion.
What Paul came to understand was that it isn’t crazy to believe and proclaim the gospel. What he was doing was the most cogent thing he could do. He was a minister of the gospel, not a madman. What I appreciate, and hope I would emulate, is Paul, although he was defending himself, wasn’t thinking only about himself and his needs. Paul was thinking about the spiritual needs of those who held his fate in their hands. To the world that’s crazy. To the Christian it is clear-headed, and the only sane thing to do.
