Good Thursday May twenty eighth as we again come to study from God’s holy word.
A royal visit-
Festus has listened to Paul and listened to Paul’s Jewish accusers and asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem to allow the Sanhedrin to make a stronger case against him. Of course Festus says I will be there to oversee that your rights are protected. Paul instead throws a flag and says, that’s the way you protect me, well then I appeal to Caesar in Rome. Festus upon hearing this Roman citizen ask for his right legally, Festus says ok to Caesar you will then go. Let’s read together from Acts 25:13-21 “And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.” Festus is visited by King Agrippa II, now normally a visit by a higher ranking official to a new positioned governor would boost ones position but in this case Agrippa needs Festus to boost his position. Agrippa was seventeen when his father died and being too young, Rome placed governors in place which had more power and authority than this king by title. Agrippa also was Jewish so because he was by title a king he was given an area to rule near Galilee and Samaria as well had the authority to choose the high priest in Jerusalem. He comes with Bernice who is actually a sister to Drusilla and Agrippa’s half sister, who history says was a very beautiful woman whom Agrippa was having an affair with. They listen as Festus explain; Felix left this man in prison so I heard his accusers and him but do not see more than a religious difference about a living or dead man named Jesus. Remember what Felix shared with Festus, Acts 23:29 “I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.” Paul has appealed to Caesar but there is not much to send him on, maybe you can help, Agrippa. Festus is worried that Caesar would see him weak for sending him a request with no merit; help Agrippa help make a case to send Paul. Festus owes the Jews, Agrippa has placed the high priest in his position, and it seems Paul is on the losing end but he has strong faith in God’s word. Faith is believed not seen. Are you seeing in faith? Remnant
