King Agrippa and the City of God

Good morning and Happy Mother's Day,
Today we see Paul's case progress through the Roman system. The local Roman King, Agrippa, comes to Caesarea with his wife Bernice to welcome Festus, the new governor. While Agrippa is staying there Festus explains his confusion about what to do with Paul. Felix left him in prison, so Festus now has to deal with him, but the charges against him are religious charges. That means Festus doesn't have the background to settle the case and probably doesn't care much about the underlying questions. At the same time we can tell he and Agrippa feel at least a curiosity about Paul. It might be that the spread of Christianity made it interesting to these leaders and the look forward to the chance to hear more about it.

Our reading from Revelation shows how the close of John's vision. He sees the final redemption of the world. The new Jerusalem comes down from heaven as the center of God's loving rule. In that day we won't need a temple anymore because God will be our temple. The kings of all nations will come into the city bringing gifts and seeking God and from God's throne a healing stream will flow. The tree of life, like the one in Eden maybe, will grow there with leaves to heal the nations. This vision for the fulfillment of creation is one of beauty, peace and God's loving presence. It shows us that all will be well in the end, giving us courage to keep the faith now in struggle.
May God's peace fill you with joy,
Sam


Acts 25:13-22
13After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus. 14Since they were staying there several days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix. 15When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him and asked for a sentence against him. 16I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the charge. 17So when they met here, I lost no time, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.

18When the accusers stood up, they did not charge him with any of the crimes that I was expecting. 19Instead they had certain points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20Since I was at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wished to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges. 21But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of his Imperial Majesty, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to the emperor.” 22Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you will hear him.”

Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5
10And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 22I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25Its gates will never be shut by day-and there will be no night there. 26People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.