Witness: Resolves #9 Series

We began a conversation a number of weeks ago about what gives us meaning in this life and I suggested that the question is actually a mute point for those who call themselves Christian because if we believe that Christ came, died and rose again then we must also live out this reality. To live out this belief we are called to become a witness for Christ. An impossible role without the acceptance of the Holy Spirit, the power of God offered by the Holy Spirit for the single intent of glorifying the Lord through a commitment to live as a person who publicly declares a belief in and adherence to Jesus Christ who gives it their all for their entire life. They recognize obedience requires commitment.

“ Anyone can give up. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart — that’s true strength.”

I believe the story of Tim Welch, who at 14 was involved in a train accident that took his left arm and leg, helps us to understand the idea commitment. Welch shares his story and his outlook on life by telling anyone who will listen that if God walked through the door and said he’d give him his arm and leg back, he’d say no. The event has been transformed for Tim into a quest to be a role model and help others, something that began in the first few weeks of his recovery. Tim tells the story of how he had just moved into a new room at the hospital near a young girl who was about to undergo surgery to remove her leg because of cancer. The girl, he said, wouldn’t talk to anyone, including her parents, so they were looking for help. After seeing how he was progressing in his recovery, the girl’s parents asked if he could talk to her. He did, and after more than two hours, the girl was ready to talk to her parents.

http://www.enterprisepub.com/arlingtoncitizen/opinion/columns/stories-of-resolve-serve-as-life-inspiration/article_271742c0-68da-11e3-8a63-0019bb30f31a.html

How many of us could be so magnanimous? Heck, I've played the victim when I get a red light camera ticket when I'm clearly in the wrong. I can only imagine if I had to deal with some of the tragedy or injustice we have just heard of or read about in scripture, especially the stuff endured by Paul.

Imagine being in jail for two years without a trial or a transfer to the court house. But that’s exactly what Paul had to endure. Paul’s been in prison for a two years now. Festus the governor of the community didn’t know what to do with Paul. He knew the Jews wanted to kill him, the former leader couldn’t get a bribe out of Paul and because he was a Roman citizen, Festus was fearful of being disrespectful Rome and creating a unrest in the Jewish culture he presided over. He needed a way out so when the grandson of Agrippa the Great shows up with his sister, he figured he could get some clarity from somebody more connected to the power structure of the day. Let’s listen in…

<Read v13-17>

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.

I really dislike Festus. He seems to be playing to the audience. I am a good leader but the last guy, he didn't do his job so I'm left with this mess. I thought I'd investigate the facts by asking so questions but...

<Read 18-19>

18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.

The rule of the religious law was not necessarily the rule of the land. A witness sometimes has to speak the truth even when people don’t full understand.

<Read 20-21>

20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”