Category: Devotions

The unexpected schemes of the enemy

Acts 25: 18 “When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.”

Festus tells Agrippa how surprised he was with the charges that were brought against Paul. We know from verse 7 and 8 that the charges were to do with the Jewish laws, the Temple worship and causing a revolt against Caesar. But on each of these charges there was no proof.

Whatever Festus expected he didn’t hear and what he heard could not be verified.

Never underestimate the hidden agenda of those who bring their complaints to you. What you might think is the reason for their angst may not be the reason at all. But their complaint can often wrong-foot you.

Who is speaking to you today? We all know not everyone will like us nor agree to walk with us. But some today face the voice of the enemy within. We may be surprised at the charges he brings. You see we would think he would raise the issue of our past and our sins. All those things we would expect, they are there and we are guilty as charged but thankful to the blood of Jesus which covers our sins. But the voice often accuses us in a variety of ways:

You can do more for God. Work longer and harder.

You are not good enough. Look at the other men and women of God.

Look how successful you have become.

Do you hear the praise of man? You like that don’t you?

You failed. God will not use you, want you or like you.

The majority are unexpected accusations.

Ultimately the number one reason for the voice of the accuser is to bring distance between you and God, whether by guilt or by removing grace.

Don’t be wrong-footed.

No delay

Acts 25: 17 “ When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.”

Paul had waited for 2 years for the trial to begin. Felix had come and gone and now Nero has appointed a new leader, Festus. Within 3 days of his leadership reign he was in Jerusalem and hearing about the case of Paul. Now we see that as soon as the Jewish gang arrived Festus does not delay anymore and convenes the court.

Are you delaying something? More importantly if you are delaying is there someone suffering because of the delay?

Some need to pray.

Some need to give.

Some need to go.

Today.

This is your moment and you have come for such a time as this. No delay. Do what you are being tasked to do. Fulfil your duties. Whatever has been passed to you, no matter if the past couldn’t or wouldn’t deal with it, this is the moment. No delay.

Innocent until proven ….

Acts 25:16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers and has had an opportunity to defend himself against their charges.”

Two thousand years ago, Roman custom said there are 2 sides to every story.

But the other side of the story takes time to listen to; it also seems pointless because our mind is made up; it would also suggest that the ‘perfect’ and ‘just’ side may not be completely correct.

Two thousand years later we still don’t like the Roman custom, other than we are a defendant.

Those who are ‘right’ are wanting a quick trial, outcome, sentence, decision and victory.

Sometimes truth is not the goal, being ‘right’ is.

May the Church return to the Roman custom.

 

Watch for own goals.

Acts 25: 15 “When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.”

A couple of weeks ago whilst watching my favourite football team I marvelled at the goal scored by one of our great players. It really was a well-timed goal. The goalkeeper had no chance of saving it. The problem was it was an own goal. The player scored against our team, his team! I was speechless! Why did he do it? I am not sure. It was an accident obviously. Well I hope it was!

Paul is chained awaiting trial.

Festus begins to tell Agrippa about the case.

One of the greatest Gentile influencers from the Jewish world was being pursued by his own.

Paul was a Pharisee. He knew every street in Jerusalem. He was familiar with the Temple. In fact the problem had begun there. He knew the chief priests by name. He had journeyed with the elders. He shared the same faith, traditions, the laws and the culture. He was one of their own. Now they were condemning him.

Talk about an own goal!

Who needs an opponent when own goals are scored? Who needs an enemy when we self-defeat? Who needs an attack when we implode from within? Be careful who we try to bring down because if not careful we could end up losing the best thing that has happened in our generation.

Discuss

Acts 25: 14 “Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner…”

Festus did the right thing. He took the opportunity to discuss the case.

So many moments of madness could be avoided if only discussions were had.

But Festus discussed the case with King Agrippa who was more acquainted with Judaism than him. Agrippa appointed the high priests for the Jews. He was the last of the Herods and he had supreme power over the Jews. If anyone knew what to do Agrippa would. Festus took the opportunity set before him.

Western Christianity has become so individualistic in that there appears to be very little accountability; everyone does what they seem fit or what they think God wants.

Maybe today we can think of those around us who we could talk to regarding a situation we find ourselves in? Maybe asking, ‘What do you think?’ will save us a lot of wasted time and help us make better decisions.

Even Bernice can be a servant.

Acts 25:13 “A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.”

Suddenly onto centre stage come the most unlikely of couples. Agrippa and Bernice were a couple but they shouldn’t have been because they were in fact brother and sister! In fact it was at this time that the historians say the rumours started about the incestuous relationship and that 5 years after the trial of Paul Bernice married King Polemon for a short time before returning to her brother.

They would become important figures in this scene as we will see.

Never be shocked at who God uses. God is not contained by the wickedness and sin of people. His purposes are higher than that. Don’t let conduct blind you to the higher purposes of God.

Look around you today, doesn’t matter who they are, don’t write them off, don’t turn your head, it could be that God has brought them to the stage for such a time as this.

Do you belong to a group?

Acts 25:12 “After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus met with a group of Roman citizens who were military or civil servants acting as an advisory board. He met with them to see what they advised.

Who advises you? When you are in the middle of two opposing views, how do you decide? Do you have friends who hold you accountable? The discussion with his board would consist of what the Jewish group wanted and who Paul was and how his citizenship protected him. No doubt the group let Festus know that the Jews could see at least he tried to have Paul sent to Jerusalem but that he was trapped in that he had to send Paul to Caesar.

Western Christianity is so individualistic. We have our own walk with God, we hear God individually and we make decisions alone. But not so in other parts of the world where community is powerful and decisions are made as a group. Perhaps this is the way it should be. Maybe there would be less mistakes made if others advised us.

It is a wise thing to have a group of people who you can confer to on a number of things.

No one

Acts 25: 11 “If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!’”

No one has greater authority than God.

Paul, a Roman citizen, now plays his card. The right to appeal to the Supreme Court was given to every Roman citizen.

How Paul knew was uncertain but he could see through the desire of Festus to have him tried in Jerusalem. There was no way Paul was going to put himself in the place of his life being threatened, not because he was afraid, but because he was holding on to the promise of God of being a witness for Him in Rome.

“No one has the right”, Paul says. No one can move me. I know who I am because I know who He is and what He wants for me.

No one can shake you. Psalm 62:2 “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken.”

No one can take your joy. John 16:22 “no one will take away your joy.”

No one can take you from the Lord. John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

No one has the right over you, they can change your circumstance perhaps, they can attack you, but no one can move you from your freedom to choose Him and to remain in Him. No one.

Remain in position

Acts 25: 10 “Paul answered: ‘I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.”

The Message helps us to understand a little more, it says, “I’m standing at this moment before Caesar’s bar of justice, where I have a perfect right to stand. And I’m going to keep standing here.”

Paul had done nothing wrong to deserve being dragged to a Jewish court, he knew it, Festus knew it and so did the Jews.

Behind this determination was his promise from the Lord in 23:11 ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Cor 16:13

Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13

Where are you today? Are you where God put you? Then remain there, don’t be moved. Don’t let people pressure you to be where you should not be or do what you are not called to do.

 

Don’t side with the bullies

Acts 25:9 “Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour, said to Paul, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?’”

He changed his mind. The Jews had requested a favour of Festus to have Paul tried in Jerusalem. They had plans to ambush him along the way and kill him. But Festus appeared a strong leader and refused insisting on him being tried in Caesarea. But now it appears he changed his mind and wanted Paul in Jerusalem at the request of the gang who wanted to kill him. Or did he?

Festus knew that with Paul being a Roman citizen there was no way he could be ordered to stand trial in Jerusalem. Paul had rights.

“Wishing to do the Jews a favour …” could be also viewed as “wanting to be seen to do the Jews a favour” and fits his original stance of Paul being tried in Caesarea and not Jerusalem. “At least I tried to get him back to Jerusalem” could be his response to the Jews.

Was this weakness? Maybe it was. Changing one’s mind often appears weak.

Was this wisdom, appearing at least to try to please the Jews? Maybe it was. Solomon appeared to try to please 2 arguing mothers when suggesting a baby be cut in half to be shared. Did Paul know about the plot to kill Paul along the way? Possibly, as Paul seemed to have known.

Was Festus thus a good man? There are too many questions for a morning devotions perhaps.

But what this does suggest is that it is so difficult when caught between 2 opposing minds. Someone is going to be upset with your decision. Who do you choose? Which side do you side with?

Festus decision to give Paul the option, whether he does this purposefully or not, shows us that it is best to fall on the side which least has a hidden agenda to harm. Don’t side with the bullies is the lesson.