Acts 25:23-27. Festus has promised the Jewish king, Herod Agrippa, a meeting with Paul, who Festus still has in his custody. The next day, Agrippa and Bernice enter the audience hall with great pomp and with the military tribunes and prominent men of the city. Then Festus orders Paul to be brought in and says to Agrippa that Paul's life has been sought by "the whole Jewish people" who petitioned Festus both in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, "shouting that he should not live any longer." But Festus has found nothing that Paul has done deserving death, and Paul has asked to be sent to Caesar. Festus will be sending him there, but has nothing to write in the letter to Caesar about Paul, so he is hoping King Agrippa can question Paul and articulate what wrong he is accused of. "For," he says, "it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him."

Picturing this scene in my head, I imagine Agrippa and Bernice dressed in their finest regalia processing into the filled hall and taking their seats in places of honor, surrounded by the mighty and powerful of the city. Once they are settled with due honor, Festus calls for Paul, a prisoner, to be brought before them. I imagine Paul being let in by guards, dressed in whatever clothes he was wearing when they came for him. The power structure could not be more obvious - the high and the mighty are seated with honor and much pomp, while Paul is led before them as a prisoner under guard to answer questions at their command.

Now, fast-forward 2,000 years. Today, almost everyone knows who Paul is, and all Christians honor him. Great statues of him are erected all over the world, including at the seat of the Church he helped to form. Cities, churches, hospitals, all manner of places are named after him. Meanwhile, Agrippa was just another Herod, only really remembered by anyone because of his interaction with Paul. Any glory Agrippa had was short-lived, earthly glory, while Paul's honor will last forever.

Following Christ does not usually result in earthly honor, in fact just the opposite. We should not be surprised if we are treated like Paul, and should count ourselves lucky if we get through a good Christian life without persecution, much less pomp. Our reward for being Christians does not come in this life, but rather after we die, when we will share in Christ's eternal glory. The Agrippas of this world will flare, fade, and not be remembered, but our reward will last forever. We have a much better deal!