The new Governor Festus is just three days in office when the Jews seek to take advantage and have Paul killed (v1-3). Festus though is wise and wishes to hear Paul first at Caesarea (v4-7). When Festus is considering having Paul transferred to Jerusalem Paul appeals to Caesar (v9-12).

Paul appeals to a higher court, but we can be sure that during all of this time, Paul was regularly appealing to the highest court of all, to heaven. In situations of difficulty and injustice we need to confidently trust in and appeal to the King of Kings.

King Agrippa comes to welcome the new governor and they discuss Paul’s case together (v13-22).  When Paul meets King Agrippa and his wife Bernice, there is a great contrast between them. Paul humbly come sin but they enter with great ‘pomp’ (v23). In the world’s eyes this little preacher was insignificant but these royals were so important, but in God’s eyes things were seen very differently.

We must remember that while Christians are regularly discounted and even despised by the world, we are the very apple of God’s eyes (Zechariah 2 v8).