26:1 It is Paul's opportunity to speak. Although these officials believe that it is on their generosity and arrangement that Paul is given the chance to speak, it has actually been arranged by God. When we ask Him for the opportunity to bring a change to a broken situation or a light to a darkness, God enables that we are given the chance. It requires our faith, passion, compassion and courage.
26:2 Paul is not intimidated or scared, he is glad for this chance to speak. Paul is able to calmly and collectively recount the events of his life because God has stabilized him, given him support and clarity. Paul, through his faith, has become perceptive, able to analyze his life and his journey both as a spiritual child of God and as a human.
26:3 Paul requests that his message is received fairly and attentively. Paul is speaking to a man who regularly judges matters concerning the Jews, (a group of which are) Paul's accusers and therefore Paul is hopeful that this man, understanding the context, will be able to properly judge him.
26:4-5 Paul's account is complete, leaving nothing out. Paul explains that he was born in Jerusalem and is therefore not an outsider, ignorant or neglecting of the culture and religion of the region. Moreover, he was a strict Pharisee; since birth, he had been very directly against the disciples, apostles and Jesus. Paul was widely known for his opposition against them, which many, if not all, of his accusers and attest to.
26:6 Paul summarizes the absurdity of the accusations against him: all he has done is put his faith and hope in God, hurting no one.
26:7 Paul is accused as evil for simply hoping to attain the promises made by God in their very scripture.
26:8 As we can recall from this book, Paul fervently worked against Jesus. Paul asks that his accusers listen to the reasoning behind his transition. After all, if not for truth, what reason would he have to change the complete way and thought of his entire life since birth?
We each have a testimony to give to the world. The way we give our testimony is the way we live our lives despite tribulation, opposition or weakness. There are so many particular features that make up who are are and our lives that become a message to the world.
28:9-11 Although it is painful now for Paul to admit and talk about how he behaved against his now-family, he leaves nothing out of his story. Our journey is our testimony and our testimony must be complete to have an effect. Paul was successful and calculated in hindering and killing the very people he now works alongside. Paul was not apathetic or lethargic against them, he was boldly, violently against him. With this opportunity, Paul is working to inform them of how he switched ends of the spectrum.
28:12-13 Paul beings the story of his conversion, which we well remember. Paul was confronted by God. Less theatrically, we also are confronted. Yet we must be listening and willing to employ our attention and effort to listening in order to realize.
28:14-15 Paul remembers the time when God injected logic into his life. What is the point? What is your intention? You must always be able to answer these questions in your own life. What is your intention while you are here on earth? Have a purpose and a plan for your life, for your soul, for your impact on the world and the people around you. God was able to make Paul realize that he lived aimlessly, violently, accomplishing and contributing to nothing of substance.
28:16 Rise and stand on your feet, meaning: become purposeful, being intentional, be meaningful.
28:17-18 God's intention with Paul was to free people from the qualities "Satan" possesses: lethargy, greed, chaos, apathy, evil, lethargy, meaninglessness, manipulation. God wants His children awake to their capabilities, to the life inside of them. God's intentions have never changed. Even now He is overjoyed to receive soldiers of compassion, those of us willing to devote ourselves to the greater purposes we are capable of fulfilling. He enables us to forgive ourselves, to receive forgiveness for being inactive in a world with requires us to be alert and hard-working. Even when we are not actively contributing to detriment, lethargy allows so much injustice.
26:19 Paul was not disobedient: when truth enters your life, you must be perceptive and receptive enough to retain it. When we become aware of our purpose on this earth, we become quite responsible for fulfilling it. Once you realize you have important work to do, you cannot neglect it and remain guiltless. If you know better, be better.
26:20-21 It has been for this reason: Paul's awakening to his purpose, that he has been accused and captured. Imprisoned for impartially spreading God's compassion and wisdom to every breathing soul.
26:22-23 I love that Paul always references and stands firmly in his faith: "having obtained help from God." Although Paul is not speaking directly to us, he subtly does speak to us: when you seek God's help, you receive it and accomplish many things.
Meanwhile, Paul reminds his accusers and proclaims to his accusers that he has never said a single word contradictory to their own religious text. Paul's intention and work was never to reject or change the Old Testament, but to add to it, to enhance it and to give us more opportunity to be free, wise, and purposeful. Paul's mission in life has been to teach (now, many millions) of people how much their creator loves them. Jesus is foretold of in the Old Testament: Isaiah 7:14, Psalms 22, therefore these believers in the Old Testament must not have actually read the book they claim to believe in.
26:24-25 Paul finishes his testimony and Festus' reaction is violent, aggressive and very much not collected. God's children are never so disorderly and chaotic; He enables us to gather our thoughts with wisdom and express them with patience...
26:26 ... Which is exactly what Paul does in the continued defense against himself and all that God has taught him: truth and reason.
26:27-28 Paul's perception enables him to see that the king as heard his truth and has absorbed it.
26:29 Paul's hope is that he is heard by many and therefore that God's philosophy might be absorbed by them as deeply as it has been by him. Paul's hope is that they become like him exactly in faith, though not in chains for it.
26:30-32 The judgement is that Paul is innocent. Yet Paul has elected to speak to King Caesar and therefore will be judged again rather than let go. Paul does not mind, he understands that his is free, and is actually working intently with God to preach to as many as he can: both to high officials and to the citizens.
