Acts 25

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Acts 25:10-12, Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.  If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”  After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Paul’s on-going custody and trial continues in this chapter.  Felix was recalled to Rome to handle some other events.  The man who followed him died after just two years and now we find ourselves introduced to the new governor, Festus.  So this means that Paul has been in custody for over two years! Festus quickly demonstrates that, while he will listen to the Jewish leaders’ accusations against Paul, he will not be bullied by them.  He appears to want to give Paul a fair hearing once again.  Now, the Jews were accusing Paul of both religious and civil offenses.  Even if he were innocent, this raises red flags among the Roman authorities.  So Paul uses last card, an appeal to Caesar himself, which was his right to do as a Roman citizen.  This also means the Gospel message will now move further up the government ladder.  God is at work here.

Let’s pray…God, you work in amazing ways.  Just as you orchestrated bringing the Good News up the Roman authority ladder in Paul’s case, you work in our lives and the lives of those we love.  Help us have ears to hear and eyes to see you at work, help us be willing to respond to you when called, and help us increase our trust.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.