So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the 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 in 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 because of my 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?
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
He was a young and dedicated pastor. The worship center was new and beautiful. Yet, there was something missing. An eternal light would adorn the chancel and serve as a reminder of God’s eternal presence with his people. It would symbolize the conviction that although God is everywhere present (cf. Psalm 139:7-10), he is specifically present in this place when people gathered in Jesus’ name. But should the soon-to-be installed eternal flame glass globe be clear or red? He was in charge of this decision. He was convinced of one color. Others believed it should be the other. I finally had to ask him, “Do you really want to die on this hill?” He realized the issue wasn’t worthy of the relational loss it would cost.
Paul, on the other hand, will not budge from his conviction about Jesus’ resurrection. He realized this was not about a little matter. This was about Jesus’ resurrection, eternal salvation, forgiveness of sins, and God’s ultimate plan for his kingdom goal. He makes this clear in his opening words of defense:
I stand here on trial because of my 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?
His conviction of Christ’s resurrection, his belief in Jesus’ gracious power, his commitment to his part in the Mission of God are solid. He will not be moved from this conviction. This is not a matter of red or clear. It is a matter of eternal truth and grace. Jesus has been raised from the dead. He has won forgiveness of sins and salvation for all. Whoever believes in him will be saved.
I wonder how many times we stand on hills too small for principles too minor and bloody ourselves in battles that need not be fought. Whenever I help church leaders formulate strategic plans, I like to make the distinction between God’s good provision for his mission: the people, pastors, facilities, and programs on the one hand, and God’s mission on the other hand. People get stuck on what color the carpet should be, or what program must be retained or abandoned. Or what color should the eternal light be. But carpet wears out. Programs come and go. God’s mission goes on until Jesus returns.
Jesus went to a hill and died for the sins of the world. He won salvation for us by his death. His resurrection vindicates his whole ministry. It also give us hope, and reminds us in the face of every challenge or trouble: The tomb is empty. We stand on that truth with confidence and hope.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment