Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
23 So on the next day 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, at the 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 in 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 go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so 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.”
Just yesterday, I attended the second of three installations of pastors in churches in our area who have been calling a pastor. Next Sunday, I will attend a third. All of this within the last two months. This is quite a relief, for I was, for a while working with 10 congregations just in my area that were seeking pastors. It appears that # 4 is on the horizon. And there are pastors in six of those ten congregations.
The Call Committees in those churches pray over the list of pastors, seeking to discern who best would fit in their congregation. Once they have determined who to call, the have a vote of the congregation to extend a Divine Call to their chosen candidate. Then they wait. Will he, or not? Will he accept the Divine Call and come to serve as our pastor? Or will he choose to stay at the congregation at which he is currently serving? He prays, talks with his wife and family, his leaders, and his colleagues. He prays some more. Then he announces his decision. Until he does, we wait for word from him. No matter what he decides, there is usually some degree of disappointment in either his church or the one who is calling him.
I think of this as I stumbled upon this comment of Festus, about the dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. And I thought about the waiting of the disciples on that first Saturday and Sunday after Jesus had been crucified. Was he or wasn’t he alive? The women told them he was alive. Jesus, himself, had told them he would be killed and be raised from the dead on the third day. But they had not seen him for themselves. Was he or wasn’t he alive?
I also thought about the ongoing mission of God through Paul. Festus had his doubts. He wasn’t sure Jesus had risen from the dead – not by any means. But it seems, also, that he wasn’t sure he hadn’t been raised. There is a lot hanging on that balance of life and death. If Jesus is alive that would mean something. He would have to reckon with the message Paul had been sharing with the people there.
All that puts into perspective the challenges and waiting we must do today. Whether it’s waiting for the results of a pregnancy test, (or a COVID test!), waiting to learn about a doctor’s diagnosis, or waiting to see if your wayward daughter is going to show up before 3 AM tomorrow morning: we are all waiting for something. But as we wait, we can remember that the tomb is empty. We can be sure of the eternal outcome of all of life. We can rejoice in God’s faithfulness, love, grace, and salvation. For Jesus has been raised. He is alive. Our salvation has been won. Our eternity is secured.
Tonight I will send this prayer to one of the congregations I am helping through the Call Process. We pray every night at 9 PM. Another call committee sends their prayer text “Amen” at 8. You are more than welcome to pray it with me at whatever time you wish.
Merciful and loving Father, we praise you for the hope we have in your Son, Jesus Christ. He has won the victory over sin and death. He has triumphed over Satan. He has saved us and given us a living hope, through his resurrection from the dead. We look to you for a senior pastor who will lead us and serve you so that we may celebrate and share your word of hope. Guide us as we consider the men on this list. Bless us with patience, grace, unity, courage, and joy in this process. Give us your wisdom and guide us to the one you know to be our next senior pastor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
David Bahn - Reflections 
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