THE LIVING CHURCH
Meditations in the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 25:1-12

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PAUL meets his last trial before being sent to Rome to be tried before Caesar. Again he faces the injustice of human courts, where decisions are governed not by truth but by what is convenient. Festus was more concerned in buying favour with the Jews (v.9), than in doing right. This is a fact about our fallen human society which occurs only too often, and perhaps more often than elsewhere when it is the Gospel that is at stake.

When we read historical accounts like this, we have the advantage of knowing the end when we are reading the account. Paul did not know the future, and, like us all, had to go forward in prayer and faith, trusting in God's eternal purpose for him, and in God's guidance of him as he deals with each new situation. It is when we put ourselves into his situation that we begin to know how he must have felt. In this way we learn most from the history of his trial in the cause of Christ.

In this trail which Paul is facing, we have a powerful example of what it means to take up our cross and follow Christ. So often people talk of 'taking up our cross' as any sort of human trouble, but this is not so. Cross bearing is when the Christian suffers because of devotion and service for Jesus. Paul was suffering here because he loved Christ, followed him, and specially because he preached to others that Christ is both God and Saviour.

The Jews were against him simply because he preached Christ crucified and risen. They would not have bothered with him if he had not been a preacher of the Gospel. Those who are faithful in Christ's service and witness to the truth will suffer persecution in some form or other. Satan will not allow his kingdom to be attacked and overthrown by the preaching of the Gospel. Nor does Satan fight fairly. The Jews were not interested in justice or right, but just in silencing the preaching of Christ. They were ready to tell lies to achieve this end as we see in the accusations they brought against Paul which they could not prove (v.7). Further the agenda of Satan so filled their hearts that they resorted to deception in order to find opportunity to kill Paul. They knew they had no case against Paul, so they sought to silence the Gospel by murder (v.3). Let us learn that when we seek to witness to the Gospel we are in danger from suffering persecution, and the more we witness the more likely that persecution will come. However let us be inspired by Paul. Paul never let the dangers of preaching put him off this work for Christ. Let us be like Paul in this.

Lastly we may learn something from the historical record concerning Paul. Such was the quality of his life that no real accusation could be found against him. What the Jews accused him of were fabrications and could not be proved. Let us live lives that are true to the example of our Saviour Jesus Christ. This goodness of life is further seen in the fact that Paul could say with real conviction that he had done no wrong (v.8). It is common in human society for people to defend themselves against accusations by denying them and claiming their innocence, but then we find that this defence was all lies. In the case of Paul his words carried conviction, because when he said he had done no wrong, it was true.

Then let us notice Paul's courage. He would not let Festus brow beat him or crush him. He defends himself but with quiet courage and without abusing his accusers. With courage he appeals to Caesar. Perhaps we may feel that we would not be able to show such courage. I have often thought this, specially when reading of the martyrs in England at the time of Queen Mary's reign at the reformation. How could they have had the courage to face being burned at the stake and die so bravely. I believe that God gives his servants courage at the time of such trial, and tempers the suffering so that his people may be able to bear it. Further, I believe that the comforts of the Gospel, and the love of Christ, are enhanced by the Holy Spirit at such times of need, so that the blessings in Christ are so precious that we will suffer all things for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.