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Good morning friends,
Today we pick up Paul’s story in Acts 25. For two years he has been imprisoned in Caesarea, supposedly awaiting either another trial or a verdict from the Roman Governor Felix, who reigned as the regional Governor on behalf of the Emperor, from his palace in Caesarea.
Emperor Nero was the Caesar at that time in Rome, and was careful to not allow Governors to reign very long in any one place. He was fearful if they became popular they may developing a power base among the people. Therefore as chapter 25 opens, a new Roman Governor has been assigned to Palestine, named Festus. Because Jerusalem is the major city of potential unrest in his entire region, Festus goes there first to meet with leaders, and of course they quickly bring up the matter of Paul.
Upon his return to Caesarea, even as the new Governor Festus is setting up his residence and office, he prioritizes Paul’s case and calls Paul to trial before him. He had never met Paul and had evidently been concerned enough by what he heard in Jerusalem, that he invited Paul’s accusers to come to Caesarea and make their case, which they did. Festus, not wanting to be embroiled in a Jewish debate, wanted to send Paul back to Jerusalem, to let the local officials there deal with the problem. But Paul seized the opportunity, as a Roman citizen, and said “I appeal to Caesar”! Suddenly everything changed. Luke records this historic moment in this way: “After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: ‘ You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you will go!” (25:12)
In the Roman empire at that time any Roman citizen could appeal directly to Caesar’s court. Rome had many courts with Caesar appointed judges, to hear the cases of citizens from around the empire, who felt they were not receiving fair trial locally. This appeal by Paul, could potentially finally get him to Rome, and possibly even an audience with one of Caesar’s highest appointed Judges. This was a life long dream of Paul… to have the opportunity to bring the Gospel, to the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome!
Acts 25 introduces us to a new player in this drama. This is King Herod Agrippa II. He is the regional leader over Jerusalem and the surrounding area. His primary role is keeping peace in this volatile region between Jews and Palestinian Arabs. You may recall there are four “King Herods” mentioned in the New Testament. Herod the Great was the King Herod to whom the Magi went looking for the newborn king (Matt. 2) and who ordered the slaughter of the babies in Bethlehem. King Herod Antipas was the Herod before whom Jesus stood in trial (Luke 23:6-21). King Herod Agrippa I murdered the apostle James (Acts 12:1-5) and now King Herod Agrippa II has a chance to meet and hear the apostle Paul.
Since Paul’s speech to King Agrippa II consumes most of Acts chapter 26, let’s go ahead and read that today as well. You’ll find Paul does a masterful job of telling his story, beginning with his Jewish roots, including his education and rapid advancement among Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Paul also recounts his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and his subsequent life commission given to him from the risen Jesus. Roman Governor Festus had never heard such a story, about Jesus and his resurrection, and interrupted Paul by saying “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great education is driving you insane.” (26:24)
Let’s stop for a moment… is the resurrection of Jesus so outrageous, that those of us who believe it to be true and actually live our lives trusting that this risen Jesus is actively involved in our lives, causes our mental health to be suspect? Do you have family or friends who think you have lost your mind because you believe in Jesus?
Here’s a really important question: What proof do you have that the resurrection of Jesus is real, that it actually happened, and that Jesus is alive today, and actively involved in your life? For Paul, you’ll remember he has had several encounters with Jesus. The most recent we saw in Acts 23:11. But what about you and me, my friends, what assures you that the risen Jesus is active in your life, really?
Paul is not distracted by Roman Governor Festus, and turns his focus to Jewish King Herod Agrippa II. Notice Paul says “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do.” And Herod responded “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, ‘Short time or long – I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (26:28,29)
You’ll notice at the end of Acts 26 Roman Governor Festus, Jewish King Agrippa and Bernice all leave the room pondering what they’ve just heard from Paul. None are convinced enough to more seriously consider Jesus, but they also seem in agreement that if Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he might have been set free. But of course, had he been released, there were several people planning his murder. Instead, Paul left that courtroom still in chains, but bound for Rome!
We have no record that Festus, King Herod or Bernice ever saw or spoke with Paul again. That stirs something in me my friends. How many people have walked out of a church service or a conversation with Christians like you and me, having heard the Gospel, but deciding ‘not today’, and never again heard the Gospel?
Do you suppose Paul returned to his cell feeling he was a failure? Or could it be, as they closed the cell door behind him, Paul knew he had taken full advantage of the opportunity and now, perhaps he began praying that as he was soon on his way to Rome, God might bring other Christians, to speak of Jesus to Governor Festus, King Agrippa and Bernice?
Are there people like that in your life and mine? We’ve shared the story of Jesus with them, but God has moved us on to other places, we now pray God will bring other Christians to them, to water the spiritual seeds we planted some time ago? And could it be God now has you and me in places where we have the chance to nurture the spiritual seeds planted by others in the past? Let’s make this week count… watering spiritual seeds in every relationship we have!
One last thought. 2 years is a long time isn’t it, especially if you feel it’s wasted time! How often do you suppose Paul thought, “I’m not getting any younger sitting here in this prison in Caesarea. God, do you see me here? Is this really the best use of my time? If you’d get me out of here, God, I could be traveling around the country preaching the Gospel, but instead, I’m sitting here wasting away.”
Ever felt like that? I have. But what Paul didn’t know, was that God was working things together so he would soon be on a ship bound for Rome, and from Rome, Paul would write some of the most powerful of all the letters he ever wrote, which we will be reading together in the days ahead.
May I give you this closing thought my friends… God never wastes our time. We may find ourselves in a season of time that to us seems less productive than other times, but with God that’s not wasted time. It’s refinement time. Time to refine and deepen our relationship with Jesus. Time to deepen our roots in His Word. Time to refine our character and our Christ-likeness. And I have found, it’s time for God to prepare us for what He knows is coming…but we don’t have the faintest idea!
So let’s make this day count my friends…where-ever you are!
Click to read today’s chapter: Acts 25. Acts 26. (At the top you can choose a different translation.)
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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