After Paul had been in custody for two years, a new governor was appointed for the region. Porcius Festus came to power, and for a moment there must have been a glimmer of hope for justice to be done and for Paul to be released. However, after staying in Jerusalem for a little more than a week, he agreed to hear the Jews’ case against Paul, and because he wanted to do them a favor, he sought to bring him to Jerusalem to be tried. This was exactly what the Jewish leadership wanted since it would give them the opportunity to assassinate Paul.
To be fair, Festus does not just hand Paul over to them and wash his hands of the situation like Pilate did with Jesus. He upheld the law when Paul appealed to Caesar. He was, however, playing a dangerous political game in a difficult region to rule. Yet, governments and governing officials are supposed to punish evil and promote good, and Festus does not do it.
Paul’s appeal to Caesar was a last ditch effort. Every Roman citizen had the right to request for Caesar to hear his case. Nero was Caesar at that time, and he had not yet begun his persecution of the church. Paul was hoping that a change of venue might give him a fair trial.
As the scenario opens up, we can see God’s plan unfolding. (It’s always easier to see God’s plan unfolding after it has already been unfolded!) Jesus told Paul in Acts 23:11, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Now the stage is set for Paul to go to Rome. Not only that, but the stage is set for Paul to share the Gospel with the most powerful man in the world.
Before that happens, Paul will testify before Festus and Agrippa, two of the most powerful men in the region. King Agrippa’s reign included Jerusalem and the Temple, and therefore the charges against Paul were of interest to him.
The day of the trial, Agrippa and Bernice (his sister/wife . . . yes, that’s incest) entered the audience hall with great pomp, and there were many important people from the city there. It is an interesting scene to consider. Festus, Agrippa, Bernice and all these influential people in their fine robes gathered together seeking to influence one another, or gain favors from those more powerful than themselves. They are going to hear Paul’s testimony.
Paul appears humble compared to the crowd gathered, but the message he will share is one that is glorious and eternal. The scene makes me think of 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure [the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus’ death and resurrection] in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
How do we appear to the world? What does the gospel look and sound like from us?
We are clay jars - vessels that are carrying very precious treasure that is intended to be shared. The world around us seeks to be impressive in its power and influence, but out goal is to show the world Jesus and let them be impressed with Him, and not with us. After all, He is the one who died and lives again. He is the redeemer of the world.
Father, thank you for government and justice. Bless our leaders and help them do their jobs well. Help me to do my job well, and to humbly show people Jesus, my Lord. Amen.
To be fair, Festus does not just hand Paul over to them and wash his hands of the situation like Pilate did with Jesus. He upheld the law when Paul appealed to Caesar. He was, however, playing a dangerous political game in a difficult region to rule. Yet, governments and governing officials are supposed to punish evil and promote good, and Festus does not do it.
Paul’s appeal to Caesar was a last ditch effort. Every Roman citizen had the right to request for Caesar to hear his case. Nero was Caesar at that time, and he had not yet begun his persecution of the church. Paul was hoping that a change of venue might give him a fair trial.
As the scenario opens up, we can see God’s plan unfolding. (It’s always easier to see God’s plan unfolding after it has already been unfolded!) Jesus told Paul in Acts 23:11, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Now the stage is set for Paul to go to Rome. Not only that, but the stage is set for Paul to share the Gospel with the most powerful man in the world.
Before that happens, Paul will testify before Festus and Agrippa, two of the most powerful men in the region. King Agrippa’s reign included Jerusalem and the Temple, and therefore the charges against Paul were of interest to him.
The day of the trial, Agrippa and Bernice (his sister/wife . . . yes, that’s incest) entered the audience hall with great pomp, and there were many important people from the city there. It is an interesting scene to consider. Festus, Agrippa, Bernice and all these influential people in their fine robes gathered together seeking to influence one another, or gain favors from those more powerful than themselves. They are going to hear Paul’s testimony.
Paul appears humble compared to the crowd gathered, but the message he will share is one that is glorious and eternal. The scene makes me think of 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure [the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus’ death and resurrection] in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
How do we appear to the world? What does the gospel look and sound like from us?
We are clay jars - vessels that are carrying very precious treasure that is intended to be shared. The world around us seeks to be impressive in its power and influence, but out goal is to show the world Jesus and let them be impressed with Him, and not with us. After all, He is the one who died and lives again. He is the redeemer of the world.
Father, thank you for government and justice. Bless our leaders and help them do their jobs well. Help me to do my job well, and to humbly show people Jesus, my Lord. Amen.
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