Thoughts on the book of Acts (181) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Acts 25:9-12

Thoughts on the book of Acts (181)
Festus found it difficult to recognise the true reason for the hostility towards Paul. In his new office, he depended on cooperation with the Jewish Sanhedrin. So why should he not grant their wish and continue with the hearing in Jerusalem, so as to obtain clarity?
After his experiences two years previously, however, Paul knew that transferring the matter to Jerusalem would seriously endanger his life.
Did the apostle remember that at that moment the Lord's prediction that he was to witness for Him in Rome, too? (cf. ch 23 v. 11). At any rate, he took advantage of his Roman citizenship and appealed to Caesar. That ensured that the case could no longer be handled in a provincial court but had to be transferred to Rome, "Caesar's judgment seat". The governor had no choice. To his administrative and mental relied, he had to give way to the appeal to Caesar.
(to be continued next Sunday)
Today's reading: Ezekiel ch. 48