Acts 25:1-12

                                                                         Acts 25:1-12

Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.“So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

God’s promise that Paul would arrive safely in Rome continues to hold fast.  No matter who is in charge or what the enemy plans, God is in control.  It is amazing how relentless the Jews were to see Paul killed.  After over two years, one would think that they would have started to give up.  This only demonstrates how threatened they felt because of the Gospel.  The Gospel truly destabilizes every aspect of any man-centered belief system.

 

AN AMBUSH AVERTED: The Jews had not given up on the idea of simply killing Paul.  Their plot was to talk Festus into holding his trial in Jerusalem and then set an ambush so he would never make it to this trial.  Festus didn’t fall for it but invited them to come down to Caesarea and present their case.  It is interesting that they did not want to have to bother with a trial.  They were well aware that they did not have a case.  When people feel threatened by the Gospel, they will abandon their commitment to the law in order to protect themselves.  Man’s ability to rationalize his own sin is a dangerous thing. 

 

ACCUSATIONS ANSWERED: The Jews once again make false and unsubstantiated accusations.  Paul simply answers that he has not committed any of the things they are claiming he committed.  He maintains that he is innocent of having broken any Jewish laws and that he certainly had not broken any Roman laws.  He was going on his third year of imprisonment and had yet to be convicted by any court.  False accusations are to be expected as we seek to spread the Gospel.  We must not allow these things to become a surprise for us.

 

AUTHORITY APPEALED: Festus continues in the long tradition of Roman rulers who are seeking to appease the Jews in order to try to keep the peace.  Paul is paying the price for this cowardly form of leadership.  Festus asks Paul if he would be willing to stand trial in Jerusalem.  This had to have had the Jews excited about the prospect of pulling of their assassination attempt.  However, Paul demands his right to be tried as a Roman and appeals to Caesar. This appeal is granted and so Paul’s imprisonment drags on for longer.  We can appeal to authority and defend our rights.  However, despite the attempts of men, the plans of God are secure.

 

APPLICATION: Beware of injustice in the world on the part of unbelieving men.  Be prepared to face persecution and don’t expect persecutors to “play fair.”  Don’t allow the fear of men or the desire to please men cloud your judgment.  Lead according to truth no matter what the consequences might be.  Don’t be afraid to stand up for the rights afforded to us by the law.