The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul told Felix the governor, “Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twenty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared, “after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room”, where we read:
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room:
and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
The verse begins, “But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room:” Luke began with the words, “but after two years” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover following two years of time” “Porcius Festus” whose name means “swinish festival and was the successor of Felix as procurator of Judea” “came into Felix' room” which means “arose and appeared as a successor in office to Felix whose name means happy”. Luke shared how “Felix” was succeeded by “Porcius Festus” following two years after “Paul's” arrest.
The verse continues, “and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” Luke added the words, “and Felix” which means “and Felix whose name means happy and was a Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius in A.D. 53. He ruled the province in a mean, cruel, and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions”, “willing to show the Jews a pleasure” or “having in mind, intending, delighting in and having pleasure to demonstrate to the Jewish people as respects to birth, origin or religion”, “left Paul bound” which means “forsook, abandoned and allowed Paul, whose name means small or little, to remain fastened with chains”. Luke shared how “Felix the governor” desired to please the “Jewish people” and kept “Paul” bound with chains.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover how “Felix” was not only replaced by “Porcius Festus”, but also that he left “Paul” captive during the two years until that took place. “Paul” experienced another “delay” in his life by many assessments, however, this only provided him with more opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. God loves people, and He directs His ministers to places and times to tell people about “salvation” from the penalty of sins which is death through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields themselves to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God, and whatever delays or captivity is necessary to share that eternal good news, was worth it not only to “Paul” but also to anyone who desires to share gospel with the world.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how Festus, “ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem”, 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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