Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (6)—Before Festus - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

[Paul] answered for himself, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all." But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?" So Paul said, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged I appeal to Caesar."
Acts 25:8-11 NKJV

Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (6)—Before Festus
The new governor, Porcius Festus, wasted no time. Three days after arriving at Caesarea he went up to Jerusalem. There the high priest and the chief men of the Jews accused Paul and asked him as a favor to bring Paul to Jerusalem—they intended to ambush him on the way. Upon his return he had Paul brought before him. Those who had come with him from Jerusalem "laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove" (v. 7).

It is interesting to notice that Scripture calls Festus "the governor" only once, at the conclusion of the two chapters where he is mentioned (26:30). He was, as so many both before and after him, essentially a politician, currying favor with those from whom he felt he could get the most advantage for himself.

Romans 13:1-6 tells us God has delegated authority to rulers to praise those who do good and execute wrath on those who practice evil. We look forward to the day when "a king"—the Lord Jesus Himself—"will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice" (Isa. 32:1). Psalm 72 describes that glorious day to us.

Paul now used his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar, the emperor, a serious step. Why? The Lord had said he "must also bear witness at Rome" (23:11). Was this now His direction? Paul had written earlier that while each should remain in the calling in which he was called, if a slave had the opportunity to be made free, he should take it (1 Cor. 7:20-21). We do not judge the servant of the Lord.

-- Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.