Good Wednesday May twenty seventh as we return to God’s word to learn His truths.
Paul appeals to Caesar-
The new governor after hearing the Jewfish men who came to Caesarea and testified to crimes made by Paul against Rome and the temple after hearing Paul’s defense asks Paul “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?” The commander in Jerusalem brought Paul to Caesarea to protect Paul from a plot to have Paul killed before he would enter the temple. The hatred against Paul by these religious zealots has not in any way reduced. Now Luke did give us some information that might help us understand Fetus’ asking of Paul. Vs.6 “And when he had remained among them more than ten days.” We saw Tertullus buttering up Felix before but can you imagine the high priest and the Sanhedrin working on Festus for ten days? Festus a seventy year old declining Roman official probably likes the attention then in Vs 9a Luke says this, “But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor” He probably felt after their buttering up that he needed to do something for them. Romans 13:8”Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” When we take gifts from those just wanting our favor we get ourselves in the situation that we then owe them for their gifts. Genesis 14:23-24a “that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing.” Let’s read together from Acts 25:10-12 “So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!” So Festus asks Paul how would you like to be tried by me in Jerusalem before the Jewish council? If I were Paul I might have said ‘what, you did not hear a word I said already’? For what reason? Festus liking the attention given by the Leaders from Jerusalem feels he owes them something for their favor, why not give them Paul. Paul recognizes Festus’ weakness and knows the hatred against him is real and knows the Sanhedrin have agreed with men who would come and kill him before he got to the temple in Jerusalem. Every Roman citizen has the right to appeal before Caesar, Paul knowing it would be a kangaroo court in Jerusalem says “I appeal to Caesar.” Paul had said, “If I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying.” Then says “there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them.” Festus, because there is no truth nor witness to these charges by these Jews, in no way would I justify going before them again, so if you are too weak to hear and understand the truth then send me to Caesar. Caesar is the title of the head of the Roman Empire. Paul was told he go to Rome where he would preach the gospel, well it appears his ticket to get there has come, Festus says, “To Caesar you shall go!” Are you ready as Paul is? Remnant
