Written by: Rachel Heathfield - CPAS
Acts 25 v 1-5
Three days after Festus became governor, he went from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
There the leading priests and the important Jewish leaders made charges against
Paul before Festus. They asked Festus to do them a favour. They wanted him to
send Paul back to Jerusalem, because they had a plan to kill him on the way.
But Festus answered that Paul would be kept in Caesarea and that he himself
was returning there soon. He said, "Some of your leaders should go with
me. They can accuse the man there in Caesarea, if he has really done something
wrong."
Notes
Are you the sort of person who will turn to the end of a book to see what happens?
Whether the hero wins the battle to escape the clutches of the evil king, or
the dowdy but nice girl gets to marry the handsome but aloof boy? Does the thought
make your stomach churn - you either are, or are not, that sort of book reader!
I will turn to the end, but only to see if the rest of the book is worth reading;
whether the climax will merit the effort!
Here we have a bit of Paul's third missionary journey. Maybe it feels like it's time to get to the climax? Stick with it: the plot thickens!
In Jerusalem, Paul was arrested and tried amidst a backdrop of
false claims and trumped-up charges. The Jews were desperate to stop him talking
about Jesus, even if it meant killing him.
The Jews were not foolish enough to have Paul's blood on their own hands, so
they would rather the Romans sentenced him to death. Paul was sent to Caesarea,
firstly to see governor Felix and then, after two years in jail, to meet Festus,
the new governor. In today's passage we see the Jews frustrated that despite
two years at the hands of the Romans, Paul was still alive.
Familiar scenario? Isn't this exactly what happened to Jesus?
The Jews handed him over to Pilate in order for the sentence to be passed. The
Jews wanted Paul dead but didn't want to be held responsible for it. Just as
with Jesus, they hated what Paul said, his talk of the extraordinary kingdom,
and the way he lived, and they feared what he represented, a man of God, speaking
with integrity of both God's love and judgement.
Prayer
Holy God,
What do I stir up in people? Do others hear what I say and see what I do and
recognise that God is in me?
Help me be a person of God today, showing people Jesus, not through arrogance
or argument, but through the integrity of living for you, in everything.
Amen
Acts 25 v 6-7
Festus stayed in Jerusalem another eight or ten days
and then went back to Caesarea. The next day he told the soldiers to bring Paul
before him. Festus was seated on the judge's seat when Paul came into the room.
The Jewish people who had come from Jerusalem stood around him, making serious
charges against him, which they could not prove.
Notes
Have you ever felt amazed as you watch the TV news that somehow you are
witnessing something significant in history happening? I am old enough to remember
watching the Berlin Wall come down, and Nelson Mandela walking free. Perhaps
you saw the pictures of Saddam Hussein being captured and recognised the long-term
significance of that?
I am also aware that the small acts that go on in my little and insignificant life are also contributing to history; it is simply my history rather than world-sized stuff. A gift we have called hindsight means that we can look back and understand how our life has developed. For example, I might think: "If I had never gone to that specific event then I would never have married my husband and I would never be here today" (and so on).
Maybe Paul was wondering what was going on as he faced yet another trial, being accused, yet again, of untrue things - a severe case of déjà vu! Maybe he wondered what God was doing, keeping him in captivity when he could have been out preaching the good news and seeing people converted to Christianity.
But there was method in this madness. We can sneak a look ahead and see that it was only because of this false trial that Paul was transferred to Rome, the centre of the Empire, one of the most significant places at the time. Paul simply had to trust and wait to see how history was to unfurl, knowing God was Lord of it all.
Prayer
Lord God, when things feel tough for us or when we can't understand why
things are like they are, help us to trust you. Help us to know that you are
in charge and that as our history unfolds, however insignificant it seems, you
are with us. Thank you, Lord. Amen
Acts 25 v 8-12
This is what Paul said to defend himself: "I have done nothing wrong
against the Jewish law, against the Temple, or against Caesar."
But Festus wanted to please the Jews. So he asked Paul, "Do you want to
go to Jerusalem for me to judge you there on these charges?"
Paul said, "I am standing at Caesar's judgement seat now, where I should
be judged. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews; you know this is true. If
I have done something wrong and the law says I must die, I do not ask to be
saved from death. But if these charges are not true, then no one can give me
to them. I want Caesar to hear my case!"
Festus talked about this with his advisors. Then he said, "You have asked
to see Caesar, so you will go to Caesar!"
Notes
Have you heard things that people say about Christians and Christianity: "It's
a crutch for weak people," or, "They're doormats - easy to walk all
over"? If you have only recently become a Christian, maybe you thought
or said similar things.
True enough, we are called by God to be patient (Romans 12 v 12) and long-suffering (Matthew 5 v 38-42), to turn the other cheek (Luke 6 v 29) and to be humble (Philippians 2 v 3). But God also gave us brains to think and voices to speak up with, particularly about injustice, whoever is being misrepresented.
In today's passage, we don't see a quiet Paul, accepting everything that is thrown at him, sitting back and letting the authorities walk over him. Trusting God isn't about sitting back and waiting for divine and miraculous intervention (not every time, anyway!). Trusting God is about using the gifts God gave us to the best of our abilities.
Paul was a Roman citizen and a very articulate and gifted speaker. He couldn't just sit back; he had to speak up. He knew his rights - he wouldn't get a fair hearing in Jerusalem, so he asked to be tried in Rome before the emperor himself.
Remember the big picture of this trial: to get Paul to the heart of the Roman Empire. This takes him a step nearer to Rome, Paul's ultimate goal, where he will show that Jesus is Lord, not Caesar.
Do you ever find yourself in difficult situations, tongue-tied because you don't know what to say about your faith? Read 1 Peter 3 v 15. Are you ready to give an answer about your hope? Why not think about your answers to difficult questions before the question is asked; then you will show others Christ and express you faith accurately.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, fill me every day with wisdom to speak clearly and faithfully about
Jesus.
Holy Spirit, inspire me to give a good answer when quizzed about God.
Holy Spirit, give me courage to respond to situations that require an answer.
Holy Spirit, be my friend and companion when I face trials.
Acts 25 v 13-15
A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus.
They stayed there for some time, and Festus told the king about Paul's case.
Festus said, "There is a man that Felix left in prison. When I went to
Jerusalem, the leading priests and the elders Jewish there made charges against
him, asking me to sentence him to death."
Notes
Do you like a bit of scandal? Well, here it is in this part of the story. King
Agrippa was the son of murdering King Herod, grandson of murderous Herod Antipas,
and great-grandson of Herod the Great (who also murdered people). Nice family,
eh? He was in charge of a small area of land within Judea. He was only seventeen
when he came to power and not deemed responsible enough to look after the whole
of the Judean region. He had come to visit the new governor Festus and encourage
him in his role. He brought along Bernice who was his sister. Rumour was rife
that he and Bernice were having an incestuous affair and they seemed to travel
most places together. By tradition, King Agrippa was small and not that good
looking - balding, with hooked nose, beetle brows and bandy legs!
Festus began to explain about Paul and the dilemma he found himself in. To give Festus the benefit of the doubt, I think he was trying to find the right solution and get justice done for Paul. Over the next few verses we will see what happens.
You may know that these word-on-the-web studies are read by people all over the world. Where I am sitting and writing, I am happy to report that I am not currently persecuted for being a Christian. Are you, where you are sitting? Many Christians worldwide face persecution every day for their faith. Just like Paul, they face false accusation and phoney trials. If you are free from persecution, are you grateful? Do you pray for those who are under trial?
Prayer
Dear God, give courage to those under fire for their faith and make their suffering
short. Please guide them in their trials, giving them the right words to say
and courage to stand up for you. Amen
Acts 25 v 16-19
"But I answered, 'When a man is accused of a crime, Romans do not hand
him over until he has been allowed to face his accusers and defend himself against
their charges.' So when these Jews came here to Caesarea for the trial, I did
not waste time. The next day I sat on the judge's seat and commanded that the
man be brought in. The Jews stood up and accused him, but not of any serious
crime as I thought they would. The things they said were about their own religion
and about a man named Jesus who died. But Paul said that he is still alive."
Notes
Have you ever heard the saying: "If you were on trial for being a Christian,
would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Play through the scene
in your mind: a judge before you, and a prosecution lawyer presenting the evidence.
What would they be saying? A good long list of things you have said and done
that show your allegiance to Christ? Or would they simply say: "No case
to answer"?
Festus continues his account of his encounter with Paul, recounting to King Agrippa what had happened. It is interesting to note what he remembers as he speaks. Note his surprise that the Jews didn't come with proper accusations against Paul; rather he remembers that they talked about their own religion and about Jesus. Importantly, Festus remembers that Paul was convinced that Jesus was not dead but alive.
Paul was a man of integrity. He always spoke of his deep-rooted conviction of the risen Christ as his Saviour. At the end of the day, the most important thing about being a Christian is not the good works and deeds you do, or even whether you are an eloquent speaker on the Lord's behalf. Rather, the most important thing is that you personally know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
Paul was on trial for being a Christian. Do you think there was enough evidence to convict him? I think so!
Prayer point
Do you know this song? Use the chorus to thank Jesus for what he means to
you.
Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you:
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, you're the best,
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you, Lord.
Acts 25 v 20-22
"Not knowing how to find out about these questions, I asked Paul, 'Do you
want to go to Jerusalem and be judged there?' But he asked to be kept in Caesarea.
He wants a decision from the emperor. So I ordered that he be held until I could
send him to Caesar."
Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear this man myself."
Festus said, "Tomorrow you will hear him."
Notes
I don't know whether I should, but I do feel for poor Festus. Paul was being
a real enigma to him. Festus did seem to be trying hard to do the right thing
and get him a fair hearing under proper charges. But Paul didn't seem to follow
the rules that everyone else did!
As a Jew, surely he would rather go to Jerusalem for his trial? No! Paul would rather stay in Caesarea until he could go to Rome. I guess Festus was wondering why he would prefer Caesar, with all his power and might, to a little religious court in Jerusalem.
Don't forget that Paul knew the big picture! He had a purpose he wished to fulfil and that was to get to Rome, the centre of the cultural, political and religious world.
Notice the effect on Agrippa, though. He had only ever heard of Paul through others' stories, but after hearing Festus' account he asked to meet him. Paul sounded interesting!
Paul was very level-headed in his sufferings, wasn't he? Don't forget he had been imprisoned for many years by then. But he looked for opportunities to spread the gospel of Jesus, he waited patiently for the best moment to speak and he was wise with his silence. Paul's reputation went before him and everyone in contact with him was left in no doubt as to his beliefs.
As hard as it is, do you look for opportunities to spread the gospel during times of difficulty? You may be feeling that life is hard at the moment, but keep looking at Jesus and remember that he is always with you, whatever the circumstance.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, when life is a battle, give me strength.
When life is a struggle, lift my face to look at you.
When life feels difficult, give me hope for the future.
When life is a challenge, make me realise you are the reason for life.
Amen
Acts 25 v 23-27
The next day Agrippa and Bernice appeared with great show, acting like
very important people. They went into the judgement room with the army leaders
and the important men of Caesarea. Then Festus ordered the soldiers to bring
Paul in. Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are gathered here with
us, you see this man. All the Jewish people, here and in Jerusalem, have complained
to me about him, shouting that he should not live any longer. When I judged
him, I found no reason to order his death. But since he asked to be judged by
Caesar, I decided to send him. But I have nothing definite to write the emperor
about him. So I have brought him before all of you-especially you, King Agrippa.
I hope you can question him and give me something to write. I think it is foolish
to send a prisoner to Caesar without telling what charges are against him."
Notes
Avoidance tactics are great, aren't they? I can come in from work and sit down
for some veggie-TV knowing full well that there are jobs to be done round the
house. I remember each time I had a big set of exams coming up, I would spend
days tidying up my desk and creating a revision timetable on the basis that
it needed to be done before I could start the real work.
Here we see a nice bit of avoidance by Festus. He really didn't know what to do with this Paul. He had listened and pondered, he had sought advice and questioned, but still he didn't know what to do with Paul. If he sent him to Caesar without any real charges, who would look stupid? Him, of course! Wouldn't it just be easier if Paul had agreed to be sent back to Jerusalem? So he ended up avoiding even making the decision about the charges. This reminds me so much of Pilate, who washed his hands, both metaphorically and literally at Jesus' trial. Avoid the conflict and try to keep yourself out of trouble.
We might be fully aware of the things we avoid in our day-to-day life - hoovering, revision, conflict with friends, cleaning behind the loo - but are there things you are avoiding in your spiritual life? How about facing up to someone you can't forgive? How about forgiving yourself? What about the amount of time you give to God in prayer and devotion? Or possibly avoiding the call of God into deeper and more involved ministry? Get some help (if need be) and face up to these issues. God wants us to be people of integrity like Paul, not hand-washers like Pilate and Festus.
Prayer of St Ignatius
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and
my entire will - all that I have and call my own. You have given it all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it as you will. Give
me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.
word-on-the-web uses the Scripture text taken
from the Youth Bible, New Century Version (Anglicised Edition) copyright 1993
by Word Publishing Milton Keynes