The Pilgrim Path---Acts 24: 22 – 27

But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he (Paul) should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

“ HE SENT FOR HIM OFTEN…”

There is a great deal brewing in these few verses. A lot is going on. Sadly---there is no real “going” of Governor Felix toward the LORD. He does listen to the Apostle Paul. Even has his wife along. Felix gets all the ramifications of the Gospel expounded to him---and of his need of a Savior. The Apostle pronounces the unmistakable reality of the coming Judgment. The text tells us that Felix was “alarmed” (verse 25). The idea in the original is that the alarm---was short lived. It did not prevail upon his heart and mind. Like many people---He had a life to live (so he thought)---so no time for “soul considerations.” As Governor---He had a realm to run! Maybe he thought, “I’ll catch up on this religious stuff later!” Besides: There had already been significant troubles between Syrian and Jewish folk in Caesarea. He was the one “responsible” for matters---as far as Rome was concerned (Josephus Antiquities 20.8.9 [182]). Plus---Ole Dr. Luke is quick to point out: Governor Felix was looking for a bribe! Maybe one of these days Paul would pay up? You know---“hand over” the moolah / the cash / the treasure / the stuff that makes the world go ‘round / grease his palm / impart a gift / make a donation to his favorite charity…

And--- Felix was a man-pleaser. He “left” Paul in prison---desiring “to do the Jews a favor.” Well, the LORD had people “in and out” of prison in Caesarea who needed to hear The Word. They heard it from Paul…

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16: 26

From Jonathan Edwards: Sometimes , when we see men go to dreadful lengths, and become heinously wicked, we are ready to wonder that God lets them alone. He sees them go on in such audacious wickedness, and keeps silence, nor does anything to interrupt them, but they go smoothly on, and meet with no hurt. But sometimes the reason why God lets them alone is because they have not filled up the measure of their sins. When they live in dreadful wickedness, they are but filling up the measure which God hath limited for them. This is sometimes the reason why God suffers very wicked men to live so long; because their iniquity is not full: Genesis 15: 16 “The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” For this reason also God sometimes suffers them to live in prosperity. Their prosperity is a snare to them, and an occasion of their sinning a great deal more. Wherefore God suffers them to have such a snare, because he suffers them to fill up a large measure. So, for this cause, he sometimes suffers them to live under great light, and great means and advantages, at the same time to neglect and mis-improve all. Everyone shall live till he hath filled up his measure. While men continue in sin, they are filling up the measure set them…

From John Duncan: The blood of Christ…having met the demands of justice in God…meets the demands of justice in the awakened conscience.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason