Luke the beloved physician wrote how Festus was in Jerusalem with the Jewish people, and when he had, “tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Festus asked Paul, “Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?”, where we read:
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said,
Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
The verse begins, “But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, ...” Luke began with the words, “but Festus” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Festus whose name means and was festival and was the successor of Felix as procurator of Judea”, “willing to do the Jews a pleasure” or “having in mind, intending, resolving and determining to perform, make ready and produce toward the Jewish people by birth, origin or religion a favor, delight, sweetness, charm and loveliness”, “answered Paul” which means “responded and began to speak to Paul whose name means small or little”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how “Festus” desired to provide a favor to the Jewish people and responded to “Paul” by asking him the following question.
The verse goes on to say, “... Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?” Luke continued with the words, “will you go up to Jerusalem” which means “are you mindful, intending, desiring and wishing to travel and journey toward the city of Jerusalem whose name means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”, “and there be judged” or “and within Jerusalem be resolved, decreed and pronounced an opinion concerning right and wrong” “of these things before me” which means “pertaining to the accusations that were presented in front and in the presence of me, Festus”? Luke shared how “Festus” asked “Paul” if he was willing to ascend to the city of Jerusalem to have an opinion of right or wrong concerning the accusations which were presented against him by the Jewish people.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Festus” decided to ask “Paul” if he was minded to ascend to the city of Jerusalem to answer the accusations which were presented before him by the Jewish people. We shall see how “Paul” answers “Festus'” question in our next verse, but for now let us be mindful that God would use this question to further his gospel of salvation through His Son Jesus, and whoever believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise yield themselves to Jesus as they realize even when “Paul” was questioned God used him to share His gospel with the world.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “I stand at Caesar's judgment seat”, 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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