Paul stayed in Roman custody for two years, safe from plotters (cf. Acts 24). Then a new Roman governor, Porcius Festus, saw it as good politics to please the Jewish leaders by sending Paul back to Jerusalem. But that journey still risked ambush. Paul, born in Tarsus and therefore a Roman citizen, used his legal right to appeal to Caesar. This assured him a trip to Rome under Roman protection (albeit as a prisoner). His strong testimony to Jesus triggered strong reactions in Festus and King Agrippa (a great-grandson of Herod the Great).

• In Acts 26:8, Paul posed a question that is still fundamental for Christian witness: “Why is it inconceivable to you that God raises the dead?” Some unbelievers might say, “I’ve never seen it happen.” But we believe all kinds of things about our world and universe that we’ve never personally observed. Can you trust as strongly in Jesus’ resurrection as Paul did? How can you, in love and concern, pose the question he posed?
• We sometimes say, “God doesn’t call the equipped.” It’s true that God isn’t dependent on our human abilities or credentials. But Paul’s final journey showed God using Paul’s training as a Pharisee, his Roman citizenship by birth, and his passionate Christian witness—a strikingly unique set of attributes that Peter, John or James would not have had. What qualities do you bring to your service for God that may allow you to serve in ways others might not be able to?