Festus, the name is Latin, he being a Roman. We have imported it into English and end up with the noun “festivity” or the adjective “festive.” Loosely meaning: “given to frivolity.” It might even have a “hint” of the word “feast” as well, one of those gluttonous events for which Rome was so well know.
Yet he (Festus) is more powerful (in Roman hierarchy) than anyone Paul has faced so far, in the sense of Paul being judged for violating some law! And it seems, Festus was more noble (in some ways) than anybody yet!
Again, we must let Luke narrate. He here quotes Festus … “It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man TO DIE, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: but had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul AFFIRMED to be alive. Acts 25:16-19
Paul, still defending (“affirming” has the idea of the words “rolling” off one lips, “overflowing” so to speak) the Faith … preaching Jesus, dead and buried and risen!
Festus’ conclusion: this litigation is no matter of “major consequence.” It merely deals with some facet of the Jews’ “religion, superstition!” This last word meaning literally: their “fear of gods and goddesses!” (Obviously Festus is no monotheist, rather quite polytheistic!)
Earlier in our chapter Paul, figuring (probably rightly so) that the Jews would “kill” him if he returned to Jerusalem … the Apostle finally deciding to stay away from that city, deciding to obey the Lord’s command given him way back in Acts 22:18 … appealed to Caesar in Rome! (The most powerful man in the world, bar none, at that time.)
Paul told Festus: “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.” Acts 25:8
“Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.” Acts 25:10, a return to Jerusalem at that point would have been tantamount to suicide. (That’s where the Jews really wanted to “try” Paul, on their home turf. They KNOW he will be found “guilty” there. Or he could be ambushed and assassinated on the way back there!)
Even here though, Festus wobbled, wavered, being a politician … “But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?”
Then Festus made his decision, after conferring (not with the Sanhedrin) with his own brain-trust (cabinet) … “Then Festus answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.” Acts 25:12
Paul’s life right now is rather “topsy-turvy,” yet he firmly believes (though he has not written it yet) … “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
I doubt not that I am speaking (via the written word, via a Website) to someone today whose life is much like Paul’s … rather complex, indefinite, confused!
Then you must do (as did the great Apostle) this one thing: TRUST JESUS! LEAN ON HIM! BELIEVE HIM!
Trust Jesus, using Paul’s words spoken later in Acts … “whose I am, and whom I serve.”
It’s called “faith,” isn’t it?
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Faith, and it’s real!
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