Does Bible history ever get stodgy to you?
Kind of like the smell of an old cigar? Stodgy? Dull, unimaginative, pompous or stuffy, indigestible and starchy. Hey! Remember when Paul had a showdown with Festus? Remember ole’ Festus from the Bible? The Bible is replete with unusual and colorful characters.
Acts 25: 3 “They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
Just who was Uncle Festus?
Acts 24: 27 “When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”
Festus was Roman governor. About Uncle Porcius Festus?
“Festus, Porcius (pôr’shəs), fl A.D. 60, Roman procurator of Judaea (A.D. 60–A.D. 62). He succeeded Antonius Felix. He was just in his administration of the province. The Acts of the Apostles relates that, finding Paul in prison, Festus gave him a fair hearing before King Agrippa and then sent him to Rome.” “It was before Festus that Paul had his final hearing. Festus sought to induce Paul to go to Jerusalem for trial; PAUL APPEALED TO THE EMPEROR. The appeal resulted in Paul being deported to Rome in the autumn of 58 AD (Acts 25-26).”
Click
Now just who is the Uncle Festus we really think about when this name comes up? Festus was the deputy marshal on Gunsmoke.
“As Dodge City’s Deputy Marshal, Festus is the pride of the Haggen family, a clan of no-account hillbillies who may have less than 32 teeth among them.” Click
I can see Festus now walking down the street in his dirty white hat chewing his tobacco. Just before he spits Festus aims his pistols at Paul, but Paul is protected by the shield of Gods righteousness. When thinking of Festus just remember Gunsmoke.
Acts 25: 4 “Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.”
Festus was headed for a showdown with Paul.
Acts 25: 9 “Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
Festus wanted Paul to go to Jerusalem to face the charges against him. Bur Paul wanted to go to Rome, the capital of the world.
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!”
Paul tells the venerable Festus he wants to go to Rome to be tried and before the emperor.
Acts 25: 12 “After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
Festus OKs Paul’s request to go to Rome for his court case.
Acts 25: 13 “A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.”
But before Paul heads off to Rome ole’ Festus receives some important visitors that come by for a visit.
Acts 25: 14 “Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.”
Paul is still being kept in the county jail before he takes off to Rome.
Acts 25: 21 “When Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I (Festus) ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
Festus, evidently, wants King Agrippa to meet this fellow called Paul.
Acts 25: 22 “Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
Festus’ visitor, the king, is driven by his curiosity to meet this oddball character, Paul.
Acts 25: 23 “The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.”
So King Agrippa puts on his best regal apparel and prepares to meet this Paul nut with other important leaders and bigwigs of the city.
Acts 25: 24 “Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.”
Festus tells the king how sincerely the Jewish religious leaders want to hang Paul by his toes.
Acts 25: 25 “I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.”
Festus declares that Paul is innocent of any crime that would call for punishment. Festus, though, has to honor Paul’s request to see the emperor. A Roman citizen could legally demand to have his case seen by the emperor.
What is important to remember in these seemingly insignificant events is the fact that God is making sure Paul gets to Rome. Gods’ desire is to have Paul share the gospel story with the most important man in the entire civilized world. And because it is Gods will for Paul to go to Rome all these particular & disruptive events occurred to get him there.
Acts 25: 32 “Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Paul appealed to Caesar and to Caesar he must go. God’s will be done.
Festus & Paul
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David Vaughn
Gold Letter, Inc.
David4054@charter.net
7-2-2007
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