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 24:1-12


The governor that followed Felix was a man named Porcius Festus. And he appears to get right to work on this issue about Paul. He is a little more interested in settling the matter because he is new to his political office, and he is looking for some small wins that earn him some favor with the people. And remember, there is a very high population of Jews in his region. So he is going to throw them a bone.

But notice that the Jewish leaders will not let this matter go. They have fostered a grudge with Paul for two years, who Felix basically protected. And on day one, they resurrect the issue. But they are not looking to make progress on the case. They want to kill Paul by convincing Festus to transport him to Jerusalem.

But Festus does not play into their plan as they expect. Instead of bringing Paul to Jerusalem, Festus travels to Caesarea and has the Jewish leaders come with him. There he calls for Paul. And Paul, still clarifying his innocence, plays his final trump card. An appeal to the most powerful emperor in the land — Ceasar himself.

It is sad how long the religious leaders hold to their vendetta against Paul. Mainly because it is based on biblical misunderstanding and religious self-righteousness. After two years, their plot never changes. They have convinced themselves that killing Paul is a righteous decision. And want they want to do is find a Roman authority who would find him guilty, citing him with inciting an insurrection, hoping they will do their dirty work. And even though the government finds no guilt in Paul and everything is working against them, they won't change their mind.

Does any of this sound like events happening in our world today?

I think one way God makes his will known to us is through the circumstances of life. When God closes a door to one opportunity, he will sometimes open the door to another. And yet, sometimes, out of stubbornness, instead of taking the other door, we'll keep trying to open the closed door over, and over, and over again. If this is the case in your life today, then maybe it's time to stop addressing the door and address the person who keeps trying to open the door that God has closed. And remember, there is a vast difference between spiritual determination and religious indignation. What we need is more of the former and less of the latter.

The lesson is this — stop being so stubborn and listen and respond to God's will.

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