Agrippa Gives Paul Permission to Speak for Himself

This meditation is based on a passage for October 11, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Acts 26:1-23

Reflection and Question: Whenever I read this section of Acts that features Agrippa, I laugh, remembering how J.K. Rowling suggests in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone that King Agrippa was a wizard — at least there was a Chocolate Frog card about him. In reality, Agrippa was a puppet under the Roman governor. His prompting here allows Paul to tell how God called him to carry faith in Jesus to the Gentiles. I am grateful to Agrippa for giving the opportunity to Paul to tell his story so that we receive it even now. In what way is Agrippa a servant of God in Christ?

Prayer: Holy Spirit of God, You were moving hearts and minds in Paul’s time as You move in our time, too. Thank you for inspiring King Agrippa’s desire to hear what Paul had to say. Use Paul’s words to touch our hearts so that we may love You. Amen.