Based on Acts 25:1-12 (New King James Version)
“Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. ‘Therefore,’ he said, ‘let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.’ And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, while he answered for himself, ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.’ But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?’ So Paul said, ‘I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, ‘You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!’
In this life, people live and die for many reasons. There are people who live to enjoy the things of this world, for pleasures, to have goods, to achieve fame and fortune. Others live for nobler things, like for a family and loved ones. And there are people who not only live, but have died for certain things. There are people who have given their lives for things that are not noble or considered not good, and also, others have given their lives for noble things, for loved ones, for a duty, for the love of a country (as we celebrate in the United States this month. May God bless our veterans!) Finally, it is inevitable, as the beings we are, whatever we do, we live and die, and there are always reasons for both. We are created beings, and as such, everything created has a purpose, a reason, it has a function, but everything depends on what we choose to follow.
As we know from the Scriptures, the apostle Paul was persecuted, tried, imprisoned, and ultimately even killed. In today's passage we see part of his experience. And we would have to ask: “Was Paul wrong, and that is why he suffered? Did he lack faith? Was it a mistake to appeal to Cesar? Much of what is taught today in many places would lead one to think that Paul did not do things well, and that is why he went through hardship. For example, it is still as strong as ever, but it has taken different forms, this prosperity gospel where it is taught that, if you have enough faith, or if you supposedly do things well, everything will turn out well for you. Such teachings would show in Paul that he did not have enough faith, because if he had faith, he could have moved these mountains of affliction. There are others who would argue that he was not wise enough, and that he was simply wrong. In short, there are many erroneous teachings circulating today that would misjudge Paul. Paul was not perfect, because simply, no human being is perfect. The only one who was perfect in all His ways in the flesh was the Lord Jesus Christ. But I would venture to say that Paul was the one who most resembled the Lord in his walk. What happened to Paul was foreseen by the Lord Himself, when He said: “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.” Luke 21:12-13. So, very clearly, Paul did not make a mistake, but did do what was necessary. Therefore, what happened to him had nothing to do with a lack of faith, or a lack of wisdom, or anything like that. That is why we must be very careful with what is taken as truth, because the devil distorts and changes the Holiness of God to make the lie look like the truth. He doesn't change his tactics.
So, what should we understand through all of this? If we live and suffer persecution, or even if we have to give our lives, let it be for what leads to eternal life. We should not suffer, first of all, because we sin. This is what the Word says: “For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-17. So, if we are faced with difficult situations, let it not be because we did wrong, or because we were religious, or because of arrogance and haughtiness (because there is a lot of arrogance in the so-called people of God today, many who believe themselves superior to others).
Why was Paul finally persecuted? “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. ‘Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” Acts 24:14-21. Paul was persecuted for this: “…‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die…” John 11:25b-26a. The only reason why he lived and died was for Christ, because he wanted to please and follow Him who is worthy forever and ever, the only One who can give an incomparable reward, for whom one must live and even die, if necessary. It is difficult to follow Him here and now because everything has a price, but there is no greater reward. So, who do you live for? Lord bless! John. Support Israel. Pray for Israel. God will bless those that bless Israel.