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Main Idea
Faith is the evidence of things unseen.
Opener – Getting the substitute teacher to naively do what you want her to do (like what the Jews try to do with Festus) but being protected by a pre-defined plan provided by the absent teacher (God’s providence over Paul). Leaving detailed notes, not allowing certain kids to be together, and informing the sub which student will make certain requests.
Passage
Acts 25:1–12 ESV
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.”
Paul’s condition
I would be remiss if I did not begin with Paul’s current condition.
Paul’s circumstance reminds me of Edmond in Count of Monte Cristo.
Like Edmond, Paul has been wasting away in a prison cell for two years because Felix didn’t want to make a decision. The conditions of Herod’s Praetorium would have been better than other prisons, but still, it was a prison. Paul would have been dirty all the time. His wrists and feet would have been calloused and raw from the chains. He would only eat when his friends brought him food. He would have looked feral. Then, there is the mental anguish.
Paul could have easily come to the trial angry, bitter, and defeated, but he didn’t. It is evident that he still trusted in God’s providential promises from before, remembering that the Spirit told him about this.
Here comes the new guy
Porcius Festus replaces Felix.
• Felix was removed because of his inability to manage disputes between the Jews and Gentiles in the region.
• This made Festus the 1-man cleanup crew for Felix’s mess.
• Appointed by Emperor Nero around 58-60 AD.
• Historians viewed Festus favorably (as opposed to Felix). He was viewed as responsible and upright and wanted to do what was right for Rome.
• Festus restored order after an uprising by Sicarii bandits who plagued the region.
In light of these details, Festus wanted to hit the ground running. After arriving at the Governor’s Headquarters in Caesarea, he swiftly traveled to Jerusalem to acclimate to the province’s people. No doubt, he also heard about the religious leaders in Jerusalem (the “chief priests” and “principal men” of the Jews), so he wanted to start on good terms with them diplomatically.
Festus is the new guy and wants to impress Nero (who was pretty level-headed until later on, when he became the 1st Century Anti-Christ). This means Festus has honorable intentions to represent Rome well and be an upstanding ruler.
Paul’s Cold Case
Festus spent 8-10 days in Jerusalem, which was more than enough. I’m sure, after being surrounded by Jewish culture and needs, he wanted to return to the Roman city of Caesarea.
Surely, the Jewish leadership had many pressing matters, yet Paul’s 2-year-old cold case was the first thing they mentioned. They urged him. In Greek, that carries a sense of a strong entreat, or even begging (as it is expressed in Mark 5:17 when the townspeople begged Jesus to leave after the demons drowned the pigs they possessed).
The leadership wickedly urged Festus to summon Paul to Jerusalem so they could ambush and kill Paul. This is a mirror image of the plot in chapter 23, concocted by the 40 zealots. Perhaps they were still working behind the scenes, or maybe the chief priests and Elders were just that emboldened. Either way, there must be intense hatred to plot murder after two years have passed.
Festus remains diplomatic
Thankfully, Festus maintained diplomacy. At first glance, this request seemed unnecessary and unreasonable. But to maintain good relations with them, he invited them to Caesarea, promising to hear their case as a matter of top priority.
He doesn’t promise any favors but an unbiased judgment when he says, “If there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”
So far, Festus is living up to the persona that historians like Josephus have given him.
Festus presides
After arriving in Caesarea, Festus got to work the very next day. He sat on the judgment seat and called for Paul to be brought to him.
He allows the Jewish leadership the opportunity to plead their case, though we do not know what happened to Tertullus.
Then, he allows Paul to face and defend himself against his accusers.
The Case Jew’s charge
Luke only gives us a summary of their accusations by saying there were “many serious charges.”
He also confirms to the reader that these charges are bogus.
We do, however, get clarification from Paul’s reply. In his defense, the Jews can only bring more of the same lame accusations:
a. Paul speaks against the Law of Moses – unimportant to Festus
b. Paul speaks against the Jewish Temple – unimportant to Festus
c. Paul speaks against Caesar – very important to Festus, but completely unprovable.
These are just recycled lies from dishonest men who think they can cry out loud enough to make the new guy do what they want… just like the kids tried to manipulate the substitute teacher.
Festus plays politics
Here is where we lose a bit of confidence in Festus.
On the one hand, Festus wants to make a smooth transition into the new role. He doesn’t want to stir the pot or ruffle any feathers; there are many ruffled feathers already. This is clearly a huge deal to the Jewish leadership who has enough clout and authority to make his life miserable. So, he wants to avoid unnecessary pain within the confines of Roman law. He tries to achieve this by throwing them a bone by resuming the case in Jerusalem.
On the other hand, Paul is a verified Roman citizen who deserves a fair trial and due process. He is being tried in a Roman city with Roman influence (as opposed to Jerusalem), and there is no reason, other than concession, to take the matter elsewhere. That is probably why he offers this as a suggestion, not a decisive command. The optics to Nero would be far better if Paul agreed to the transfer.
We must remember that Festus has many political eyes on him right now. Felix was the worst and created many issues in the region, and he was sent in to clean it all up. This was his first case, and it was fairly high-profile. Politically speaking, he had to operate in the middle ground, trying to appease all interested parties.
The pressure was on.
Paul stands firm
After stating what he was innocent of and hearing Festus’ offer, Paul stands firm on 5 foundations:
1. In the court system – “I’m where I should be.”
2. On Festus’ judgment – “I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.”
3. On his innocence – “I do not seek to escape death, but…”
4. In the greater Roman legal system – “I appeal to Caesar.”
5. Most importantly, in God’s providential plan:
Acts 23:11 ESV
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Though Paul has experienced extreme injustice from the zealots, the Sanhedrin, and Felix, he stands tall and confident in the plan of the Almighty God, who looks upon the plans of wicked rulers and laughs (Psalm 2).
Festus responds
On hearing Paul’s appeal, Festus huddles up with his council… not that it would have made any difference, because this appeal was the right of every Roman citizen… but remember, he is doing this diplomatically and by the book.
Once finished, he utters those famous words, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
Unbeknownst to Festus, in that very moment, the Jews’ plans are foiled, Festus keeps his political clout, Paul is guaranteed a passage to Rome on the government’s dime, and God’s sovereign plan would be realized.
Takeaway
This part of Paul’s story is similar to that of Ruth and Esther. While we see the characters interact on the world stage, we also perceive God as the hidden actor who is directing the play behind the curtain. Though we don’t see it, His providential hand is sovereignly guiding every move of all actors; those who know Him and those who do not.
When facing difficult times at home, challenging circumstances at work, or hard times in everyday life, find confidence in God’s providential plan by praying and meditating on Scripture. Reflect on past instances where God has proven His faithfulness in your life, and trust that He is in control of your current situation. Surrender your worries and fears to Him, asking for His peace and guidance to navigate the challenges. He is faithful in this moment… you just don’t have the benefit of hindsight to see it yet.
Take time each day to thank God for the blessings in your life, no matter how small they may seem. By shifting your focus towards gratitude, you can cultivate a positive mindset that helps you trust God’s ultimate control over your career and future.
Instead of harboring bitterness or resentment towards someone else, extend grace as God has extended to you. By letting go of negative emotions and choosing to forgive, you allow God to work through you and accomplish His purposes in every situation.
Isaiah 46:8–11 ESV
“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.”
Questions to Consider
1. Why did Paul reject Festus’ offer to be tried in Jerusalem despite Festus’s intentions to find favor with the Jews?
2. What were some serious charges the Jews brought against Paul, and how did Festus view them?
3. In what way does Paul’s behavior and decisions reflect his trust in God’s providence and sovereignty during the challenging trial he faced?
4. What can we learn from Paul’s example in this passage about standing firm in our faith and convictions amidst opposition and challenging circumstances?
5. What similarities do you see between Paul’s situation in this passage and the experiences of characters like Ruth and Esther regarding God’s sovereign guidance in challenging circumstances?
6. How can Paul’s unwavering faith in God’s providence encourage us to trust God’s control and faithfulness in our lives, especially during difficult times?
7. What steps can you take to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and trust in God’s ultimate control over your circumstances, following Paul’s example of surrendering worries and fears to God?