Thoughts for the Day

Paul Held in Custody

Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgement, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.’ At the same time he hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him. After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favour, Felix left Paul in prison.

Paul Appeals to the Emperor

Three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem where the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews gave him a report against Paul. They appealed to him and requested, as a favour to them against Paul, to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea. ....

After he had stayed among them for not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he arrived, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem surrounded him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. Paul said in his defence, ‘I have in no way committed an offence against the law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against the emperor.’ But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour, asked Paul, ‘Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?’ Paul said, ‘I am appealing to the emperor’s tribunal; this is where I should be tried. ... Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, ‘You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Oh dear, we seem to be back at square one again in Luke's account of the Acts of the Apostles - Paul is back in prison once more awaiting a decision as to what to do with him. The Roman Governor from his seat of authority in Caesarea is Felix, and Paul's words about God have begun to terrify him we are told. His sins were many, not least supporting the Greek claim to Caesarea and killing thousands of Jews in the area during the dispute and allowing his soldiers to sack Jewish homes. However, perhaps his biggest reason for keeping Paul in prison was his hope that Paul or his supporters would agree to ransom the Apostle.

Felix is finally removed from his position as Governor when the Jewish officials report him to Rome, as is their right, and he is replaced by Festus. History records Festus as a wise and just man. He sees through the machinations of the Jewish leaders, even though he offers to support a trial in Jerusalem for Paul, but the decision is taken out his hands when Paul said the formal words "I appeal to Caesar" for Roman citizens, with a few exceptions, had such a right. Paul would be going to Rome after all!

Bringing us back to today, it occurs to me to wonder - to whom do we appeal to in a practical way when we feel unjustly treated? Bearing in mind these emails go around the world there will be different answers. For day-to-day things, it might be your boss, a local council official, or trades union representative, or an official complaint's ombudsman. However, don't forget that your biggest supporter, who understands your very thinking is Your Heavenly Father. Appeal to God in the first instance!

Heavenly Father,
sometimes we feel harassed
and unfairly treated by others.
Sometimes we want to react in anger
at unjust accusations,
and fight back.
May we never forget that You are present
in our lives through the action of the Holy Spirit
and stand ready to support us in our need.
Amen.