SATURDAY February 3, 2024
The Judgment Seat
“To them I [Festus] answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.”
Acts 25:16-17
This is a brief summary of what Paul is going through at this time in his life. He has been held by the Roman court, as the Jews have accused him of starting a riot and teaching heresy. Really, this was all a political plot to kill Paul. We know that the Jews hated him. They brought Paul before Felix, a Roman governor, who imprisoned him for some time before basically washing his hands of Paul. Felix left his office and transferred the problem of Paul’s case to Festus who would then consult with King Agrippa II, as he was very familiar with Jewish teachings.
In the presence of King Agrippa and Bernice, Festus began to explain the situation. He wanted to follow the order of the Roman courts. He would not condemn Paul without him first meeting his accusers face to face. He gave him the rightful opportunity to defend himself. Festus said he wanted to be fair. He further explained how he had summoned Paul to stand before him as he sat in the judgment seat.
Consider this: As governor, Felix was told about Jesus Christ, and he had rejected that opportunity to receive Him as Lord and Savior. Now as Festus and Agrippa were to be involved in the judgment of Paul, they, too, would hear the account of the Gospel from the best-educated apostle. Once the King and Governor heard the truth, would they receive the truth or reject it?
What about yourself? What will you decide?
We live in a culture where the truth claims of Christianity are not only rejected, they are ridiculed.
~R.C. Sproul~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
