The Redeeming Gift

Acts 25:13-22

“13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 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. 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. 16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 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. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

Festus, the Roman Governor of Judea, thought that the dispute between Paul and the Jewish authorities was simple.  According to Festus, it was a dispute over whether or not a man named Jesus was dead.  

To Festus this was a trivial issue and not something he really wanted to spend any time with.   He was about to remand the case back to Jerusalem when Paul appealed his case to the Roman Emperor, which was the right of all Roman citizens.

People who are not believers do not understand the importance of the resurrection.  If the resurrection had not occurred, Jesus would indeed have been some man who died in ancient Israel.  He would have been a footnote, if that, in history.  

Instead, the resurrection occurred, and Jesus is worshiped by millions of people all over the world as the son of God.

Paul’s trial was not about some dead man named Jesus.  

It was about God’s redeeming gift of salvation for all of humankind, the freeing of humankind from the bondage of sin and death, and everlasting life with God the Father almighty.

It was about the resurrection of Jesus.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)