In his hearing before Governor Festus, King Agrippa, and Queen Bernice, Paul asked, “Why does it seem incredible to you that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8). It’s an excellent question. Despite all the interest in the zombie apocalypse, it’s impossible to believe that the dead could rise on their own. But would it be too hard for God? What would be the basis for saying that resurrecting Jesus would be beyond God’s capability?

Paul was quite frank about admitting his past as a persecutor of the Christian faith (26:9-11). He was not shy about explaining how he had been converted by Jesus’ appearing to him, and commissioning him to service as apostle to the Gentiles (26:12-18) – a vision which called for his obedience (26:19).

As the story progresses it becomes clear that Paul was not just offering a defense of his actions; he was proclaiming the message of the gospel. That is, his goal wasn’t a verdict of “not guilty” for himself, but at a verdict of “redeemed” for his hearers (26:23-27). It appears that King Agrippa, at least, was strongly moved in that direction: “a little more, and your arguments would make a Christian of me” (26:28).

There is an intriguing double irony in the verdict of this hearing. From the world’s point of view, we see the irony of Agrippa’s comment to Festus: “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (26:32) – which is to say, we know he’s innocent, but on the basis of his own appeal we’ll send him along to stand trial again. But from Paul’s own viewpoint, it’s ironic that their recourse to “just follow procedure” meant the fulfillment of God’s plan: Paul was going to Rome, where he would have the chance to proclaim the gospel (23:11), as he had known would happen (19:21).

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Sooner or later we are all dead, and dead forever – unless it is true that you raise the dead, O Lord. Yet this is what you have done: in the resurrection of Jesus we find the promise of our own eternal life. Grant us the grace to proclaim this message with boldness, before all the world.