Not in a Corner

Not in a Corner

Acts 26:26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.

There are things in our society that are undisclosed and things that are a matter of public record. Typically those that are open to the public are easily accessible and widely known. With the advance of cell phone technology and cameras held in the hands of most people it is very unlikely that we will miss observing some major event. There just aren’t many secrets or undisclosed public episodes. Most people know what is going on in real time.

In Biblical time there was a “grapevine” of communication which informed most people of the events of their day. The events were often memorialized in frescos and engraved in stone. The insignificant events were spread by heralds who would travel from village to village telling the news. Most people knew what was going on.

God wanted to make sure the gospel of Jesus was public knowledge. He did several things to accomplish it. He allowed the development of Greek to be common language for commerce throughout the land. Therefore, everyone could communicate with each other. He permitted the translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek so many non-Jews could attain knowledge of the prophecies of the Messiah. He set in motion yearly feasts and festivals that were regularly attended by almost all Jews and many Romans. Finally, He allowed the Roman Empire to rule in Palestine to ensure the recording and dissemination of the major events in the life of Jesus throughout the land (Acts 25:19).

Because of this most people and especially religious and Roman leaders were well aware of the preaching, miracles, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. None of it was done in a corner, it was all very public. Take for example the time of the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was during the celebration of Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread. It was a 7 day feast held in Jerusalem. Both Jews and Romans flooded the city for the event. Hundreds of thousands of people were there to watch the battered and beaten Jesus being paraded down the Via Delarosa and to observe all the events surrounding His crucifixion and death. They remained and were able to hear of the risen Lord and could journey up to the garden to see His empty tomb. None of these events were done in a corner. They were all done in plain sight and anyone could examine the evidence of these things.

One finally event ensured that the knowledge of the risen Savior was publically known. Acts 1:3 states that after His resurrection and before His ascension “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 Paul lists some of those to whom the post resurrected Lord appeared. None of these events surrounding Jesus were done in a corner. They were all very, very public. Even the two disciples heading home after the resurrection asked the following question of their fellow traveler, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" Everyone knew what had happened to Jesus.

Paul here is presenting his case and the gospel to Agrippa who was well informed in Jewish culture and traditions (Act 26:3). Agrippa’s grandfather was Herod the Great who paid to have Jewish temple refurbished prior to the birth of Jesus and later tried to exterminate the infant boys at the time of the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2). Agrippa’s father was the Herod Antipas who took part in the trial of Jesus before His crucifixion (Luke 23:6-12). His family knew the culture and customs of the Jewish people so there is no way that Herod Agrippa didn’t know about the events surrounding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He knew they weren’t done in a corner. He just didn’t want to be persuaded to believe them (Acts 26:28) and embrace the truth of the gospel.

Here is great encouragement to us. Agrippa knew more than enough information about Jesus to put his faith and trust in Him, but he didn’t. Paul shared the gospel passionately and persuasively with him, but Agrippa didn’t believe. We can be encouraged that God is the one who draws people to Himself. The person that we share with may be well informed about Jesus and know the gospel but doesn’t receive Jesus. We can share like Paul, but they may still not come to Jesus. We shouldn’t be discouraged by this knowing that God is the author and perfect of our salvation and theirs. We are just to be like Paul, sharing the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. It wasn’t Paul’s passion, his pervasive ability, or his presentation, but God’s power that brought people to Jesus. So like Paul, we should simply share Jesus and trust God to save them.

Today thank the Lord that He saved you. Praise God for the example of Paul who continues to share and trust the Lord to save them. Pray that the Lord Help you not be discouraged by those who don’t come to Christ. Thank Him that all the event s of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus didn’t happen in a corner, but for all to see.