Acts 25:13-22

                                                             Acts 25:13-22

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

 

I find it fascinating that Luke was able to include the details of a conversation between two Roman rulers in his narrative.  It is also interesting that Paul’s case took such a prominent place in the mind of Festus that he simply had to have Agrippa’s perspective on the situation.  The conflict of heart and mind Festus was experiencing must have been disconcerting.  

 

FESTUS REVIEWS PAUL’S CASE WITH AGRIPPA: When we are unsure of ourselves and what we should do, we tend to do a lot of explaining, repeating, and self-justifying.  It is clear that Festus is caught between two competing values: justice and people pleasing.  He cannot be true to both of these values but is not ready to abandon either, so he is stuck.  It is interesting to observe how careful he is to paint himself in the best light as he shares his experience with Agrippa.  First, this mess was left to him by Felix.  When then Jews asked for condemnation, he quotes Roman ethics of letting a mand defend himself.  He speaks of being proactive and taking his place as judge right away.  Here is the logical question: why are we still dealing with and rehashing this case if you did everything right?  When you find yourself repeating stories and painting yourself in the best light, it usually means you are rationalizing yourself and trying to defend something you know to be wrong.

 

FESTUS REVEALS PAUL’S INNOCENSE TO AGRIPPA: A Festus reviews the case; he makes a very clear judgment.  He says the chargers brought against him were unsubstantiated and trivial in the sight of Roman law.  So once again, explain why this case was not just thrown out at the time.  The reason was that he was more concerned about pleasing people than doing what was right.  He admits to being at a loss, so he proposes exactly what the Jews had suggested that the trial be held in Jerusalem.  Paul knows that this is a trap, and he will not fall for it.  As a Roman he had a right to defense within the Roman courts.  He appeals to Caesar.  It should have never come to this point.  Agrippa’s curiosity in peaked so he decides to give Paul a hearing himself.  This is just another demonstration of how in control of this situation God was.  Paul is now witnessing of the resurrection of Christ before his fourth government official.  God is using Paul in this imprisonment to proclaim the Gospel to key leaders that would have never had an opportunity apart from this situation.  God knows how to advance His kingdom during and through our sufferings.

 

APPLICATION: Don’t allow a desire to please people take priority over doing what is right.  Beware of rationalization and self-justification, they are almost always a demonstration of guilt about something.  When you know what the right thing is to do; do it without delay.  Trust that God is using our difficulties for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.