Acts 25 - Who's Really in Charge?
Festus Consults King Agrippa
13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
Paul is like a ping pong ball going back between the Roman governors, the Jewish leaders, and today King Agrippa, who ruled over Judea. King Agrippa and Bernice were brother and sister, which led to an incestous relationship. Festus is trying to appease the Jews. Herod is trying to appease the Jewish leaders. Paul just wants a fair trial and use his situation to preach the gospel. His trump card was that he was a Roman citizen. According to Roman law, he had the right to be heard before Caesar. But before Festus could send him to Caesar, he needed to specify what he was being charged with. So far the only things that has been presented to him are seemingly insignificant differences within the Jewish religion, which he certainly was not an expert on. Since King Felix was not as familiar with Paul, Festus arranged for him to hear from Paul the next day.
What is most interesting about this chapter is the following verses,
"Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive." Verse 19
Festus obviously didn't know much about Jesus, which is surprising though he was new to his office. Importantly this shows that at the heart of Paul's message was Jesus, his death, and resurrection. The Lord had promised Paul he would speak before kings, and now he was about to. This is twice now that the process with the Roman governors saved Paul from being killed by the Jews in route back to Jerusalem.
We see the singular focus in Paul's preaching in another verse.
"And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2
Festus was surprised, thinking that their accusations against Paul were unimportant. Their accusations focused on matters of their religion and a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. It is amusing to think of the religious leaders protesting to Festus that Paul won’t stop talking about the risen Jesus, and hoping that the governor would make Paul stop. The words “a certain Jesus” show that Festus didn’t know much about Jesus. It is good to remember that the great and important people of Paul’s day didn’t know much about Jesus, and they had to be told. “Brethren, this is why we must keep on preaching Jesus Christ, because he is still so little known. The masses of this city are as ignorant of Jesus as Festus was.” (Spurgeon) A certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive: The limited knowledge Festus did have regarding Paul’s preaching shows that in his preaching, Paul emphasized the death and resurrection of Jesus.
When we are obedient and willing to follow Jesus at all costs, we are given a freedom that we could not otherwise experince. Paul seems to be the most relaxed person in all of these proceedings. He is like, "God got me this far. No matter you do or don't do, I am just going to keep preaching Jesus!" It is interesting that the unique nature of the charges brought against Paul gave him the opportunity to defend himself by preaching Jesus!
This is when we point to the great verses from Romans 8:28,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose."
When we give up control, God can be in control. Instead of trying to manage and control every situation we can watch him do what He does best, His will!
Heavenly Father, we thank you for always being there for us and even using the bad things in our lives for Your good purpose. Help us to see in these trials an opportunity to preach the gospel about Your Son, Jesus. When we are at our weakest, you are at your strongest! Amen.
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