Day 37: Acts 25
When Festus took over being governor from Felix he arrived in Caesarea and then went up to Jerusalem. The rulers of the Jews brought charges against Paul and asked that he be brought back to be tried. They were hoping to ambush and kill him along the way. Festus refused. It was decided that they would go there and he would join them to try Paul in Caesarea.
Paul’s accusers brought many serious charges against him none of which they could prove. Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul if he was willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial. Paul responded by saying, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal where I ought to be tried.” He explained that he was not trying to avoid execution, but if there was no proof of the charges no one could hand Paul over to the Jews. He officially appealed to Caesar. In Roman law, a Roman citizen, which Paul was, could appeal their case directly to Caesar for final decision. Paul’s appeal was set in motion and he was prepared to be sent to Caesar.
The Jews still had a King in those days, but he was more ceremonial because he was subject to the Roman conquerors. King Agrippa and His wife Bernice came to see Festus, the governor in Caesarea. When they arrived Festus presented Paul's case to them. He informed them that Paul was waiting to be sent to Caesar. Festus said there was a disagreement about religion and a dead man Jesus, who Paul asserted to be alive. Festus admitted he was at a loss how to judge the matter, but when Paul had appealed to Caesar he had kept him in custody. Agrippa was intrigued and asked to hear Paul himself.
Paul was brought in the next day before every important person in Caesarea and Jerusalem, including King Agrippa. Festus said that he had found nothing that Paul had done deserving of death but suggested that Agrippa help write down the charges. He did not want to send a prisoner to Caesar without charges being written up.
Today, God wants us to be peaceful with those that have authority. However, we must realize that the final authority is God. He is the one who is really in control. When you see injustice or if injustice has come upon you we are blessed to have the right of appeal to a higher court. Be reminded that no court can overrule our Lord Jesus. Appeal to Jesus in your trials of life and watch how he will provide a way of salvation. It might not come the way you expect it, but he will provide a way, because Jesus has paid the price for all of our sins and his Father is the Judge.