Acts 25. The Apostle Paul has now spent two years in confinement in Caesarea under Governor Felix. No charges have been filed against him. In most cases in the United States, this type of confinement without charges would be illegal. You cannot just imprison someone without reason.

Now Governor Felix’s term has ended and Governor Festus has replaced him. Festus discusses Paul’s case while in Jerusalem, then goes to his new post in Caesarea and convenes court to hear from Paul and his accusers. The equivalent in the United States system would be a federal courthouse, hearing a nationally significant case that has risen up from lower-level courts where there has been some controversy about how the case was handled.

Governor Festus is joined by King Agrippa and his wife, and the courtroom opens to hear what Paul and his accusers have to say. In the end, Festus is perplexed. The Jewish leaders brought many serious charges against Paul that they could not prove (25:7). Festus even says they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed (25:18). I found that he had done nothing deserving death (25:25). I have nothing to write to Caesar about him… it seems to me unreasonable in sending a prisoner to not indicate the charges against him (25:27).

Festus does not know what to do with Paul. Paul was obviously not guilty or deserving death or imprisonment. Yet we note that Paul has appealed to Caesar, and so off to Caesar in Rome he will go (kind of like having your case sent to the Supreme Court).

The ironic thing is that Paul’s case should have been dismissed. The charges were false, frivolous, unfounded, politically motivated. But Paul will have his day in court – several times actually – where he will get to share his testimony, life story, and the good news of the gospel. Also, ironically, as long as Paul was in a Roman prison the Jews could not kill him.

Did you notice how Festus summarized the whole conflict?  They had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, whom they said was dead but Paul asserted he was alive (25:19). All this courtroom talking back and forth for days on end, and Festus boils it down to this succinct point – they are arguing about whether some guy named Jesus is dead or alive. Fantastic. Paul has succeeded if this is what people remember from his witness!

Two years in prison, false accusations, death plots, and a big appearance in federal court. How would you have handled that? Paul entrusted the days of his life, the terms of his imprisonment, and all the justice issues into the hands of God. He had seen God’s work in his life repeatedly. He appears to keep himself together – and use this opportunity to share his story and the truth of the gospel to anyone willing to listen.

May the Lord give us this same clarity and courage in the face of obstacles!