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December 13th

The bible reading today is in Acts chapters 24-26.

We finished yesterday’s reading at the end of the Apostle Paul’s three-year third missionary journey.

Eight men joined him on the mission, including Paul’s disciple Timothy. They visited the churches in Galatia again, encouraging the fellow followers of Jesus there.

They visited Ephesus again. The church was blessed with many converts. It was also tested. Riots broke out against Paul and the gospel he preached.

Paul and his friends revisited Macedonia and Greece and the churches Paul had planted there. Then Paul and his friends sailed back home...to Caesarea and then to Jerusalem.

And that brings us to today’s text.

“And after five days the high priest Ananias came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24:1‬

And Paul spoke his mind and heart, with respect and boldness.“...this I confess to you, O Governor Felix, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets...(about the One who is the Way....)

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24:14‬

Then Tertullus, the spokesman for the High Priest and elders addressed the Governor...“For we have found this man a plague...a bringer of death...one who stirs up riots and disorder and chaos among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes...a definite slight and demeaning commentary on Paul.

Nazareth was known by all as a city of poor reputation...could anything good come from Nazareth?...a despised and lowly place...?

Well, Jesus did...and that was the point...these unconverted Jews were slamming Jesus and all of his followers in the presence of Felix.

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24:5‬

That day Governor Felix heard both sides but put off a decision about the charges brought against Paul. He had Paul detained in a Roman holding cell.

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.

Once again, Paul was ready for every good work...even as he exhorted Titus... “

“Remind them, the church members in Crete...to be ready for every good work,”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:1‬

Paul had no idea that the Governor was going to bring his Jewish wife to visit Paul in jail. But God did....he orchestrated it...and Paul was ready for the work of identifying himself with the Savior God, Jesus.

Acts 24

O friends, let us be ready for such a good work too.

Continuing in the text... “But Festus, the Roman who was taking Felix place as governor of Judea, 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 if 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.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25:9-12‬

Joseph was the target of false accusations in Egypt...remember Potiphar’s wife who falsely accused Joseph of taking advantage of her?

Daniel was the target of false accusations in the Persian empire. Remember the jealous governors in Persia who sought to bring Daniel down through falsehoods?

Paul was also falsely accused...primarily by ardent Jewish religious leaders. Festus called the trial in Caesarea. Paul testified and appealed to Caesar...

God had a plan. Paul was his witness to godless Nero...and so Festus sent Paul to Rome.

God was at work...no coincidence here.

Have a great day