Sentence Changes

 

    Change was in the air for Paul.  There was a new Governor, Festus, in Caesarea.  What would that mean for Paul?  The thing is Paul was not worried.  He knew that God had it under control and that he still had to have his day in court in Rome.  Change didn't scare him or make him uncomfortable.  He saw it as opportunity.

    Three days after Festus arrive, he went to Jerusalem.  He was cleaning house and the Jews took advantage of that.  They went to Festus to lay out their complaints against Paul to the new governor.  Their goal was for him to die.  They were not too concerned how at this point, but they wanted him dead none the less.  How disappointing it must have been when Festus would not bring Paul to Jerusalem where they could ambush and kill him.

    Paul was his own lawyer in this trial too.  He had the education, the heritage, and the back ground to prepare him.  It would not be wise for most people to defend themselves, but Paul was different.  Plus this was his job for God at this time.  He was laying out his faith to people that may never really have a chance to understand it otherwise.  

    Festus was smart too.  He was catching up fast.  He arranged things where any judgment would not turn on him.  If things went badly, his job would not be at risk.  He was a true politician that understood completely how that world worked and how to stay on top.

    Paul was so good at his job that he was sent to Caesar to make the decision about his verdict.  Basically no one was as prepared as Paul and did not know how to handle his wit.  King Agrippa wanted to hear from Paul for himself.  Paul had become a curiosity to people, kind of like Jesus and Jon the Baptist.  When he heard Paul's testimony, he concluded that nothing could be proven against him.  Festus had not choice to send him to Rome.

Acts 25