A Witness Before Kings
Scripture Reading — Acts 25:1-12
"I appeal to Caesar!" ... "To Caesar you will go!" Acts 25:11-12
Vermont television produced a popular video a few years ago. It was about an ordinary farmer named Fred Tuttle who went to Washington, D.C., to spread a little wisdom around the capital just as he'd been spreading a little manure over his fields for 50 years. The fictional story was so popular that in the next election, the actor who played Fred received write-in votes for senator! There's something attractive about ordinary people bringing wisdom to the great places of the world. But can that happen? It depends on the nature of the wisdom! Paul's demand for an audience with Caesar was not motivated by a desire for personal justice. Later, those who held him captive said that if he had not appealed to Caesar, he could have been set free (Acts 26:32). But Paul appealed to Caesar because the gospel had business in Rome. Paul would speak the claims of Christ before the greatest power structures of his day! Few of us may have the opportunity to speak the gospel in the world's great halls of power. But it's good for us to remember that the gospel speaks to the culture of every country and the government of every nation. Christians do not need be embarrassed to speak of Christ and his claim on society. After all, everyone in government receives authority ultimately from Christ himself.
Lord, forgive us when we think our faith is private and we forget that your rule extends everywhere. May the truth of the gospel give shape to a culture that honors you. Amen.
About the author — Bob Heerspink
Dr. Robert Heerspink was director of Back to God Ministries International from 2006 until 2011, when he passed away. He had previously pastored several Christian Reformed churches. Bob loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the Today devotional.
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