Why is it Thought Incredible?
Acts 25:23-27, 26:1-8
23. So on the morrow Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then by command of Festus Paul was brought in. 24. And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death; and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him. 26. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you, and, especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him." 26
1. Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2. "I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3. because you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4. "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6. And now I stand here on trial for hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7. to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8. Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
Why, indeed?! Paul is taunting these wise, powerful, puffed-up religious types! He’s asking them why, if they profess to worship such a powerful God, would they doubt his ability to raise the dead? Why, if the God of the Jews is so strong and mighty, could he not fulfill the promises he made through the prophets? Why was it not possible or likely that the Messiah had, indeed, come during their life time?
Paul understands! He was a Pharisee! And if his heart can be changed, if his mind can be opened, if his soul can be touched, why couldn’t those of these Jewish accusers?! Why? Didn’t they believe in the promise to the twelve tribes? Didn’t they accept God’s word as truth? Didn’t God, after all, swear by himself that he would keep his promise? What exactly is going on here? Agrippa must have felt, as Festus had, a twinge of curiosity. He must have wondered if there could, in any tiny way, be truth and validity to what this man was saying.
Paul was risking his life to testify to this! Other false prophets had come and gone. Many claimed to be the Messiah—but not this man . . . He claimed only to have seen him and to have been changed by him. He claimed only what had been promised to all believers—to be saved from our sin by the Christ. It’s impossible for a man to rise from the dead. But was this Jesus really just a man? . . . Could it be true? . . . could Paul actually be perfectly sane and simply overcome with the power of Jesus risen?
Do you ever wonder these things? Did it really happen the way it’s written in the bible? Do you ever doubt it – even just a little in the recesses of your mind? Do you ever think the whole thing is just too much to wrap your head and your heart around? I think that’s part of what the problem was here. But I also think these powerful religious leaders were afraid of losing some of their authority. If all this was true, they would not be the ones speaking with the power of conviction and authority on the word of God anymore!
I think today we hesitate to declare ourselves as Christians. At work people might think we’re kind of weird if we proclaim our faith. If we live like true Christians, we really won’t exactly fit in to the corporate culture of most work places. And that can be tough. Some days it even might make life very difficult. But like Paul, we must never miss an opportunity to spread the good news. We must not miss a chance to touch another life or save another soul through the Holy Spirit using our words—received from Christ himself.
Jesus walked this earth as a man. He was hung a cross. He died. He rose. History began and ended on that day for us as Christians. Doubt, waiting, wondering all ended on Easter morning! And the world will never be the same. Nor will we! The old has passed away. A new covenant has been established.
I hope you spend today asking others: “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”
Mary
