Paul—A Thorn in the Side of Festus!

Felix had left the government of Palestine without ever making a decision about Paul. Whereupon, after Festus arrived at Caesarea and had gone up to Jerusalem, he was informed by the Jewish authorities there that Paul, Festus’ prisoner, ought not to live. However, Festus wouldn’t agree to send for Paul to be brought to Jerusalem, because he thought it better for his accusers to come with him to Caesarea an there make their case against Paul (Acts 25:1-5).

The problem was the Jews made accusations, but were unable to prove anything, and this surprised Festus, for he was expecting some kind of evidence to warrant their demands for execution. However, he made the mistake of wishing to please the Jewish authorities and thereby begin his term as their governor on friendly terms. He asked Paul, since Festus was unfamiliar with Jewish law, if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and be judged by the Sanhedrin in his (Festus’) presence? Paul made it known to Festus that it should be obvious to the governor that he had committed no crime worthy of death, which would have been the sure outcome of such a trial. So, Paul appealed to be heard by Caesar to settle the matter (Acts 25:6-11).

 

Can the State Ever Legislate the Gospel?

When Jesus sent out the disciples two by two to the different cities in Galilee, their work created enough of a stir that Herod wondered what was going on. Such religious ‘stirs’ will always come to the attention of the heads of state. Governments are suspicious of the emergence of new things over which they do not have complete authority. The state is defensive of its power and influence. It is reluctant to permit an independent authority to continue within its realm of power. Herod may have first heard of Jesus through his steward, Chuza. He was the husband of Joanna who ministered to Jesus (Luke 8:3). At this point in time, however, Herod didn’t need his steward to tell him anything. There was a bit of a commotion across a sizable portion of his realm. Herod desired to see Jesus (Luke 9:9), and probably not because he admired him (cp. Luke 13:31).

 

The Christ of Contention

Pilate went out to the chief priests and asked them what accusation they had brought against Jesus (John 18:29), but all they could say was that, if He was not an evil doer, they would not have turned Him over to the governor (John 18:30). In other words, they found Jesus guilty, and they expected Pilate to sentence him on their judgment. Pilate, however, had no desire to do their dirty work and told them to carry out the judgment according to their law (John 18:31a). Nevertheless, the religious leaders desired the death penalty for Jesus, which was not legal for them to carry out (John 18:31b-32). They then began accusing Jesus of insurrection, turning the Jewish nation aside from Rome, forbidding others to give tribute to Caesar, and claiming He was King (Luke 23:3). Upon hearing this, Pilate called Jesus to be brought to him (John 18:33) and demanded of him if he were the King of the Jews (cp. Luke 23:3; Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2). Jesus, however, said that his kingdom is not of this “world” (kosmos, G2889).

 

Clean and Unclean

The dialogue between Pilate and the priests in the Gospel accounts at the time of Jesus’ trial reveal a tense and contemptuous relationship between them, not unlike what is often the case today between church and state! The priests considered Pilate unclean and his questions insulting. They refused to go in and meet with him, so he was obliged to come out to them (John 18:28-30). Power plays between church and state still exist today, each one jealous of the authority the other has over the people, each one suspicious of the other, and as we shall see, each one seeks to take the position of temporary power over the other.

 

“Just A Thought…”

I am a Christian and regard myself as evangelical. One of the things that troubles me today, regarding evangelical Christianity, is our increasing preoccupation with politics. If Jesus told Pilate his Kingdom was not of this world, I have to wonder what “Christianizing” American politics means. Should this be what we are about? Certainly we preach Christ, but if I am known for my political stand rather than Jesus, what good is my walk with Christ?