I DO NOT OBJECT
Acts 25:9-11 NKJV
9 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?”
10 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. 11 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.”
Paul must have been a curiosity to the Roman rulers. Each time a new ruler showed up in their area, the Jews were intent on bringing charges against Paul. Each time, the rulers were expecting accusations of heinous crimes to be levied against Paul. And each time they were genuinely puzzled by the ridiculous nature of the accusations. The Jews were crying out that Paul was not fit to live. And the rulers were wondering why the outrage.
In our verses for today, Festus, a new ruler who replaced Felix, is trying to balance keeping the Jews appeased and showing justice to Paul, who was a Roman citizen. Festus was struggling with that balance and asked if Paul was willing to be tried in Jerusalem. Paul put his foot down. He knew that going to Jerusalem would mean going back on the Jew’s turf, and that would not be a safe place. So Paul boldly tells Festus that he was appealing to Caesar because he had done nothing wrong to the Jews, and Festus knew that. I believe Festus was relieved to send Paul to Caesar. Paul had a right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar’s judgment seat. And with Paul’s appeal, Festus was off the hook on trying to keep the Jews happy.
I like what Paul told Festus. Paul told him that if he was guilty, he did not object to dying. Who talks like that? Who does not object to dying? Evidently, a man who had probably seen heaven and viewed death as a promotion. Paul spoke of being caught up to heaven in 1 Corinthians 12. Paul knew exactly where he was going. Paul had already experienced sufferings, and to him, death was the better option. It was Paul who said to depart and be with Christ is far better. And that dying was a gain to him. So, Paul was not in the least intimidated by the threat of death or by the threats from powerful rulers. It has to be hard to scare a man who does not object to dying.
APPLICATION
There is an old adage regarding super spiritual people. They are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. Paul did not fit this category. Paul was effective during his time on earth, knowing that a better life was waiting for him on the other side of death. But Paul was not so focused on heaven that he neglected his calling and mission while on earth.
This is such a great balance to shoot for. Having a loose hold on this world and an awareness of the better world to come. But still staying focused on completing God’s plan for us while we are here. This life is short, and we need to make it count. Not being consumed with our life, our stuff, and our comfort can help us. Jesus spoke of taking up our cross and following Him. Those who are willing to take up their cross do not object to living for something bigger than themselves.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to live bigger than just me and my life. I do not object to crucifying my flesh in order to live for You according to Galatians 5:24.