The beloved physician Luke wrote how Festus told king Agrippa concerning Paul, “when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. To whom I answered, 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 license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Therefore, when they were come here, 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”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Festus told King Agrippa he asked Paul, “whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters” where we read:
And because I doubted of such manner of questions,
I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
The verse begins, “And because I doubted of such manner of questions, ...” Luke began with the words, “and because I doubted” which means “and since and on account that I, Festus, was at a loss, unable to know or decide and perplexed” “of such manner of questions” or “pertaining to and concerning the debate and matter of controversy”, Festus did the following. Luke shared how “Festus” admitted being at a loss and unable to decide about the perplexing ideas presented to him about “Paul” by the “chief priests and elders”, so he asked Paul the following question.
The verse continues, “... I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.” Luke added the words, “I asked him” which means “I, Festus, question and inquired of Paul” “whether he would go to Jerusalem” or “if he, Paul, would travel and journey to the city of Jerusalem whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the capital of Palestine”, “and there be judged of these matters” which means “and within Jerusalem be resolved, decreed and subject to censure because of the complaints and charges brought against him”. Luke shared how “Festus” told “king Agrippa” that he asked “Paul” whether he wanted to travel to “Jerusalem” to be subject to censure and adjudicated for the charges brought against him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Festus” continued telling “king Agrippa” the story of “Paul” being brought before him with the complaints of the “chief priest and elders”. Because these were matters of their own religion, “Festus” questioned “Paul” as to whether he would rather be “judged” by him in the city of “Jerusalem”. This, of course, was the desire of the “religious leaders” because there were Jewish people who desired to kill “Paul” along the way. However, God was involved behind the scenes, and He preserved “Paul” from his assailants. God loves people, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins so they may live with Him forever. Even though they may face opposition like “Paul”, the message of the gospel is for everyone to believe and trust in Jesus. Those who carefully study all the details in this story of “Paul” should understand God was at work and wants people to yield to His Son Jesus to be saved.
Next time Luke shares how Festus tells King Agrippa what he did, “ when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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