Scripture: Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”
After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar, you have appealed; to Caesar, you shall go.”
Acts 25:1-12 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Luke notes that Felix possessed satisfactory knowledge of the Way and thus delayed further hearings until the tribune Lysias arrived. Meanwhile, Felix graciously ordered Paul’s guard to grant Paul some liberties, including visitations from friends. Then, after some days, Felix summoned Paul to appear before him and his Jewish wife, Drusilla, to share more about Paul’s faith in Christ. But when Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and judgment, Felix, feeling anxious, ordered Paul to leave with the assurance that he would continue to hear Paul when he had the time. So, over the next two years (until Porcius Festus replaced Felix as governor of Judea), Felix often conversed with Paul, hoping that Paul would offer a bribe for his release. Still, being the politician, Felix left Paul in prison to curry favor with the Jewish authorities.
Today’s reading picks up with Festus’ investigation of the conflict between the religious leaders and Paul. Wasting no time, Festus travels to Jerusalem just three days after he arrives at the governor’s headquarters in Caesarea. Meeting with the chief priests and other principal leaders, Festus listens to their case against Paul and their request to summon Paul to Jerusalem (revitalizing their plans to ambush Paul en route to kill him). Instead, Festus directs them to send delegates with him to Caesarea, where they can press charges.
About ten days later, Festus convenes his tribunal at the governor’s headquarters and summons Paul. Similar to the earlier trial under Felix, the Jews present serious charges that are unsubstantiated, and Paul contends his innocence of any offense against Jewish law, the temple, or Caesar. So Festus asks Paul if he is willing to return to Jerusalem to continue the trial. Knowing full well what the Jewish leaders are scheming, Paul responds that he has done nothing deserving death (albeit he is not afraid to face such a fate) and thus will not submit to them. Instead, Paul requests an appeal to Caesar. So Festus confers with his council and agrees to grant Paul’s request.
Note: The Jews of Palestine found Porcius Festus a much more amenable regent, albeit his untimely death truncated his governance to three years. As the Jewish historian Josephus writes, “Now it was that Festus succeeded Felix as procurator, and made it his business to correct those that made disturbances in the country” (Hendrickson, The Works of Josephus, p.615).
Further note: Herod Agrippa II appointed Ishmael to replace Ananias as high priest during the final days of Felix’s governorship, which perhaps explains why Festus wasted no time meeting with the chief priests. However, Ananias remained an advisor to his successors until Jewish nationalists murdered him in 66 CE.
Takeaway: Unlike Felix, Festus did not play politics with the Jewish leaders. He earnestly sought to follow a course of action to resolve the lingering trial he inherited. So Festus consults with his advisors to determine whether the alleged crimes were “extra ordinem” (i.e., crimes of national concern, such as political sedition, that would fall under Caesar’s jurisdiction). While Festus could have acquitted Paul, Festus sought a compromise that would hopefully resolve this two-year trial and allow him to focus on more pressing matters of his newly appointed position. Unwittingly, Festus foiled the Jewish leaders’ plan by granting Paul permission to appeal to Caesar. Still, while this is not the Jewish leaders’ preferred option (i.e., to permanently silence Paul), deporting Paul from Judea would be the second-best outcome. Meanwhile, Paul, fully aware of his adversaries’ intentions, wisely exercised his citizenry rights to keep him on course for Rome, as the Lord had revealed to him two years earlier (Act 23:11).
Our takeaway? Here, we see God working his purposes in directing Paul to Rome at the appointed time. With God accomplishing his will through Jewish and Gentile authorities, Paul knows it is time to begin the next leg of his journey to Rome. Thankfully, two years of waiting are over. But while waiting, Paul made good use of his time instructing Felix and his court in the Gospel. Also, Felix permitted visitors with whom Paul could receive and extend encouragement. And, lastly, before sailing to Rome, Paul will share his testimony with King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice (Acts 26:12-32).
Thus, we see that waiting is part of the journey. Like Paul, we must seize the opportunities God will place before us to avoid despairing over what may seem like wasted time. This perspective applies to all life transitions, from schooling to vocations to retirement. The Lord will provide meaningful work for us while waiting if we earnestly seek his direction. Indeed, he has already prepared good works for us in advance (Ephesians 2:10). And one last point: just as Paul received visitors, we need to lean on community support. When we do, the waiting will be much more enjoyable.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who modeled for us the importance of actively waiting, whether retreating in prayer or hanging back and fellowshipping with the marginalized. And we thank you for Paul’s example of patiently waiting, whether incarcerated and praying or under house arrest and witnessing. Still, we confess that this is not a quickly developed mindset. Our culture’s values pull us in the opposite direction. So would you please help us envision waiting as part of the journey and seize opportunities to accomplish the good works you have prepared for us while we wait? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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