Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 26:1-3 (New International Version 2011)

¹ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: ² “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, ³ and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

This is one instance when Paul becomes all things to all people. To King Agrippa, the Jews were a small, insignificant people who happened to live in a back corner of the world. They were best known for living on the shoulder of one of the world’s busiest business highways. Paul understood that perspective and addresses the king in that manner.

To paraphrase Paul,

Mr. King, you are well acquainted with our little Jewish squabbles.

Too often, as a life-long Christian who was “raised in the church,” I only see the perspective of the church as the center of the universe. I often find myself talking to people unfamiliar with that perspective. Can I do as Paul did?