FROM CURIOSITY TO DENIAL

In Acts 25:22, Agrippa says, "I'd like to see this man and hear his story."


"Herod Agrippa, like the Herod before him, was curious. "I'd like to know more about this strange thing that this man has succumbed to."  "What does this guy see in Jesus?"  "What is it about these Christians?"  Familiar questions asked by many people even today, yes?  Why would any person choose to live by a bunch of ideas shared by some character that lived a long time ago?  And they claim this guy will rule the earth?


"What did Agrippa  expect to see in Paul that could have convinced him that Paul had a way of life with peace and security that Agrippa would never know?  Like his father, Herod Agrippa expected to see a miracle, perhaps.  A miracle might have convinced Herod to give up his wealth and power and follow, but it is doubtful.  So, he saw no miracle, he saw just an ordinary man who believed in an extra-ordinary God-man.  Yes, Paul must be crazy.


"Denial sets in; refusal to believe the extra-ordinary, unfortunately, is what most people decide to do.  It is only the God-led habitually, those determined to follow God no matter how difficult, who decide God's way is the way.  Once chosen, it is a matter, once again, that each of us continue to choose God's way, each and every day, whatever that day may bring. We are people who must will ourselves to choose the will of God."


And so we listen and watch for God's leading. God,  may people see You in us.  May they see the extra-ordinary that only You give.  May others see in us that which they want so much that it exceeds their temptation to disbelieve.  Amen.


Onward and Upward!


PS.  My computer had no power for a couple of days.  Strange!  Fixed once again, thanks to our son, Mitch!


Jo INMN