AGRIPPA who lost the chance of a lifetime
(Acts 26:28)
The scene was set for one of the greatest trials in history.
Preliminary investigations had been completed, and with
the arrival of King Agrippa the time seemed opportune
to settle Paul's case once and for ever. "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. And Festus said,
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" (Acts 25:23,
24). Intense silence greeted the statement, and every eye
was turned toward Paul when Agrippa ultimately said,
"Paul, thou art permitted to speak for thyself" (26:1).
The King Who Recognized the Truth
Paul's shrewd eyes recognized that his illustrious judge
was no stranger to the ways and beliefs of Israel. He said,
"I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because . . . I know
thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are
among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me
patiently" (v. 3). Later, when the speaker had told his
remarkable story, his impassioned voice cried, "King
Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou
believest" (v. 27). These two statements reveal that the
judge was acquainted with the Holy Scriptures. His con-
stant interest in the life of the nation had made him expert
in all Hebrew affairs. It would also follow that he knew
about the Lord Jesus, and the ways of the Christian
Church, for when Festus accused Paul of madness, the
prisoner replied, "I am not mad, most noble Festus; but
speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the
king knoweth 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.
The King Who Resisted the Truth
Perhaps we shall never be sure why Agrippa replied,
"Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." It has
been suggested this was an answer of mockery, and meant
"With such little persuasion, would you try to convert
me? " Yet, a man expert in Jewish ways; a man who
believed in the hope of Israel; and one who had heard the
testimony of the great Paul, could hardly scorn such a
wonderful message. Each reader must decide for himself
what Agrippa really meant; but one thing is above dispute.
At least the king realized what it meant to be a Christian,
and confessed he had not yet become one. Whether he
was near or far from the place of surrender, he had seen
a vision of the power of God, and the extent of Christ's
Kingdom. Christians were people who owned no other
Master. No man can follow Christ without becoming con-
scious of a duty to bear a cross daily. If Agrippa sup-
ported this cause, unpleasant repercussions would be
known throughout the nation. A royal conversion would
be a sensation, and would necessitate many fundamental
changes in the king's conduct.
The King Who Renounced the Truth
Beyond the bounds of that court-house, heaven waited
for the royal verdict. The court adjourned, and Agrippa,
Bernice, and Festus, went aside to discuss their findings.
They agreed that the prisoner was innocent, but excused
their inaction by saying, "This man might have been set
at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar" (v. 32).
And possibly had Caesar been present he would have dis-
missed them for their willingness to waste money in trans-
porting a prisoner and his escort to Rome, when according
to their own statements he was guiltless. This story has
bequeathed to posterity three vital suggestions. (i) The
inevitability of decision. Every man challenged by the
Gospel of Christ makes a decision, whether he wants to or
not. (ii) The inadvisability of delay. To plan a future
decision is to provide evidence of folly. The future is
unknown. (iii) The inexorability of death. The last enemy
of sinful man is always triumphant. All men must die,
"and after death the judgment." When Agrippa turned
away from the Christian preacher, he turned away from
Christ.
Poor Agrippa, he was so near to the Kingdom of God,
but he missed the chance of a lifetime!
