Inevitable

Text: Acts 25

Theme: Paul knew he was going to Rome, so why avoid it?

Key verses: “Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea…he left for Jerusalem, where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made accusations against Paul. They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea…So he said, ‘Those of you in authority can return with me…[and] make your accusations.’ About eight or ten days later Festus…took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders…gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn’t prove. Paul denied these charges. ‘I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,’ he said. Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, ‘Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?’ But Paul replied, ‘No! This is an official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar.’ Festus conferred with his advisors and then replied, ‘Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!'” (v. 1-12).

What I believe God said to me: Why did Paul appeal to Caesar? That question has been raised time and again by some who’ve read this account in the centuries since. The passage doesn’t say explicitly why. But, you can make an informed guess by simply looking closely at the circumstances surrounding this moment. As he stood there in Festus’ court, Paul was keenly aware of three things: 1) The Jews would try to kill him if they took him back to Jerusalem, 2) the chance of a trial ever happening in Caesarea was bleak, and 3) he was going to Rome to be my witness because I told him he would. Combined, these three realities caused Paul to give a quick and emphatic “No” when Festus brought up the idea of going back to Jerusalem for trial. Paul simply wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, he immediately opted for Caesar in Rome. But why? Consider this: The first reality–that the Jews would try to kill him–motivated Paul out of a physical desire for his safety. The second reality–that a trial in Caesarea was clearly not going to happen–motivated Paul from his intellectual prowess to reason. After all, he’d been waiting for a trial more than 2 years as he sat there in jail is Caesarea. His third reality–that he was going to Rome–motivated him from his strong faith in my words and promises. So, here’s the question I have for you today, Dwayne. What motivates you? Think about that. What moves you to make bold statements and plans? What gets you out of bed each day and out of your comfort zones? What causes you to go toward potential danger and harm rather than seek safety in a corner somewhere? Paul’s motivators were physical, intellectual, and spiritual in nature. In other words, they encompassed his whole person: his strength, mind, heart and soul. What does that remind you of? Was this not Paul living out the greatest commandment, to love the Lord his God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength? Was this not Paul worshiping me and yielding his whole self to my purpose and plan for him? You don’t see Paul flinching at the sight of danger or running away from potential harm in this story. Ultimately, that wasn’t what mattered to Paul. He didn’t avoid a trip back to Jerusalem because he was afraid to die. No, he refused to go back because his death would keep him from a better outcome–to be my witness in Rome. Physical safety for him wasn’t for his benefit but rather for my glory to be better revealed. Paul didn’t oppose being held in Caesarea out of frustration or hopelessness of a trial that would never come. No, Paul knew that sitting there was a waste of his time. He was on a mission he needed to fulfill, and the sooner the better. Paul didn’t resist my will for him to go on to Rome, that wicked city where Christians were regularly paraded in front of huge crowds in the coliseum and fed to lions. Paul had but one goal: to honor me and fulfill his mission to be my witness. And to accomplish this, it was inevitable that he go to Rome. This isn’t fatalism, Dwayne. Paul had a choice. Paul chose my kingdom and my will on earth. You have a choice too. How will you choose today?

What I said to God: Lord, every time this happens. As I plow through this amazing narrative called Acts, I come to passages like this one in chapter 25, and I think I can skim over it, that I won’t find much in it. But without fail, Your Holy Spirit shows me a goldmine of truths and challenges to my faith. Wow, this is powerful today. Thank You for speaking so clearly through Paul’s actions here. Please help me choose today and everyday to die to myself, take up my cross and follow You. Help me love You physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Help me love You with my whole heart and shine Your love to others today.