[The Holy Spirits Pomp]
Acts 25:23-27
In the acclaimed TV series Extraordinary Attorney Woo, a lawyer with autistic spectrum disorder wields great legal expertise to rescue the disenfranchised. In so doing, all her eccentricities become hidden under the clout of doing good. I believe that when we save people through the Word, all of our flaws will be overshadowed by the Holy Spirits pomp.
The Holy Spirits appeal must be followed up with patience, but merely enduring out of obsequiousness or timidity is no better than giving up. Because salvation is so important, we are given the Holy Spirits pomp when enduring for it.
First, the Holy Spirits pomp is given not to those who brag, but to those who reveal their shame.
To King Agrippas request to hear Paul, Festus prepares a show by replying, 'Tomorrow you will hear him.' Agrippa and Bernice show up for the occasion with much pageantry. It is interesting to note that they 'came with great pomp'. That is, they did not possess an air of importance it was but a practice in vanity. I suggest they dressed up the interrogation so fancily to disguise the inferiority they felt towards Paul. The phrase 'Paul was brought in' uses the same verb as in 'He was led like a sheep to the slaughter' (Acts 8:32). We see Paul being treated as some exhibit for the people in power. Paul could have appeared very lowly in front of such a flashy audience. However, Paul is a chosen one. Even in such circumstances, Paul is able to dominate the atmosphere of the court with the confidence and prestige that comes from Christ. It is important to consider what God thinks of us, not other peoples opinions. Understanding that the pomp is a facade and so kneeling down to the Holy Spirit in carrying out our mission in our respective places brings us true authority. So how do we know where our place lies? It is the place of the sinner. Where we confess our sins to God is where God will give us solemnity. Much as the authority of a great doctor graces the patient who knows they are sick, we will only discover the authority of the Holy Trinity when we know we have sinned. And this authority will lead us.
Second, the Holy Spirits pomp is given when looking after a soul.
With great pomp, King Agrippa and Bernice enter the audience room, or 'place of hearing' (as in the King James Version): in essence, a small group meeting. Festus, despite already having established all the facts, acts as if he has yet to discover what to write to the Emperor. He is using Paul as a prop in a charade to magnify his impeccability, decorating the event as a means to give the Emperor an accurate report. We encounter many such people in our lives, be it our family or work. Unfortunately, our diligence and kindness can fool even ourselves it is enough to pull us into hell. Festus should have freed Paul as soon as his examination found no fault. But he balanced this against the power held by the Jews accusing Paul. The Holy Spirits authority is given when we take responsibility for the soul we have been entrusted with. 'I have no sin. Youre the problem. It has nothing to do with me.' To such irresponsibility, God replies, 'You have nothing to do with me. I will not take responsibility for you.' Pastors and community leaders alike are not given authority when they give bombastic sermons. It is also not because they teach well. It is when they try to save that one soul, that one family.
Third, it is given when we recognize the impossible.
Paul now sits as a prisoner. During all the visits from high priests, the lawyer Tertullus, members of the Sanhedrin, Israels highest institution, two governorships, and the King of Jewish land, no one finds fault with Paul. Yet wherever he goes, Paul always confesses to being a sinner. People who admit to being sinners can distinguish between the impossible and possible. When a problem strikes, but everyone is stuck assigning blame, claiming, 'I have committed no crime I am no sinner', then, much like Festus, no one can recognize the futility in finding guilt, leading to a fruitless struggle. Knowing you are a sinner despite having no crimes to be charged for: that is the Holy Spirits pomp. The reason we can open up and confess our sins, whilst still fighting them, is because we hung them on the cross so that we may be completely dead to them. Everyday we confess to the community to furiously battle our constantly reviving sins. Why continue to live with such a husband, why act upon the Word, why open up, and why take care of all these people who seem only to bring grief? Before we knew the cross and salvation, we say all these are impossible. Festus, having lived rationally, can never understand Pauls situation.
But how could we possibly take responsibility for other peoples pains and sins? We cannot do anything. Yet when we give up on 'Im not the problem!' and move on to sharing and empathizing in the community, together vowing to try to take responsibility for our families and members pains, the Holy Spirits pomp will be endowed. That is the authority with which we revive in our families and work as promised in the Word.
I sincerely hope all of you will come to know our powerlessness and the dominion of the Lord through the Holy Spirits pomp.
