Acts 25:5 Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”
Jesus seems to be reminding me in today’s passage that we live in an unjust world. The Jews are so set on eliminating Paul that they are plotting ambush and murder. Paul is so set on sharing the Good News of Jesus that he’s not afraid to die but he’s not interested in being martyred. Festus is trying to do right, but he’s really confused about this situation with Paul and the Jews and what exactly is going on.
Acts 25:7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.
We live in an unjust world. People do mean, evil things, sometimes on a whim, sometimes because they are convinced they are doing right. However, there are people willing to stand up for what’s right, willing to risk death to share the Good News of Christ. And there are people who are trying to get the facts, find out what’s really going on, and stand up for what’s right.
Acts 25:11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
Lord, We live in an unjust world. That’s a fact. There are bad people and evil people and misguided people. But there are also good people, dedicated to You and to what’s right. And there are people who are trying to figure out the truth. Help me not to lose sight of the good. Help me to always be part of the good. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
Acts 25:18-19 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.
Have a blessed day.