The Pilgrim Path---Acts 25: 1 – 12

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 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 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.”

“…TO CAESAR YOU SHALL GO”

---Religious Men wanted the Apostle Paul brought to Jerusalem. So, they said. That was a ploy. The chief priests and their cronies wanted to see Paul transferred so they could arrange his assassination. My---my…Religion does not change hearts---only the Righteous One (Jesus) does. Some of the meanest people I have ever known are “religious” people. They were dangerous in Paul’s day---many are dangerous in our day…

---Ruling as best he could: This seems to have been Governor Festus’ objective. There were many matters to take into consideration. It is doubtful he was anywhere “near” as conversant with the “Jewish” situation as his predecessor (Felix). Who can blame him for trying to show the Jews a bit of favor? Yet---if your goal is to please everyone---that almost never happens…

---Reason without question: The Apostle argues (without being refuted) that he has broken no Jewish Law---he did not defile the Temple---he did not transgress against Caesar. He cannot be placed before a Governor’s tribunal---He must stand before Caesar. Festus assures Paul---that is where he is headed---because he is a Roman citizen! Think about it. To have been found innocent in Jerusalem (or Caesarea) and released---would have meant a “death sentence” among the Jews. Remember: The LORD had said that Paul “must” go to Rome. All is going according to HIS plan---and in HIS time…

---Resolve: Paul had it---as Jim Boice used to say---Paul knew God is sovereign / that God’s promises are true / and that his BEST path forward would be that of unswerving obedience to Jesus---no matter the cost!

From Jim Boice: You and I are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of a hostile world, and the only way we are going to be able to stand against the world when it pressures us is if we are willing to give up everything to follow him…Yes, everything. But why should we be surprised? He gave up everything for us, and it is he who said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9: 23). A cross is a symbol of death. He was teaching that we must be willing to die to be his followers. That is the victory of faith that overcomes the world.

From John Duncan: If man examines why he disobeys, he will find universally that it is from a notion that he will promote his happiness better by disobedience than by obedience.

From Samuel Rutherford: Christ’s love, under a veil is love; if ye get Christ, howbeit not the sweet and pleasant way you would have him, it is enough, for the Well-Beloved cometh not our way.

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