Acts 25:11–12: “‘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!'”

April 22nd, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Secular Roman historians tell us that during the Julio-Claudian period, Roman law protected Roman citizens who invoked this special right called ad caesarem provoco (I appeal to Caesar). This right was ordinarily invoked only as a resource against an unfair sentence, so Roman citizens who were guilty of murder or pirates caught in the act were barred from making this legal appeal. And it was reserved for full-fledged Roman citizen; common Roman subjects would never try to invoke it. Paul’s words must have exploded in the courtroom like a hand grenade. The Roman governor had misjudged this respectful man. Beneath Paul’s polite exterior was stainless-steel resolution along with his God-given wisdom.

By granting this appeal, Festus, the governor, seemed relieved to remove himself from the case, transferring it to the Emperor. He was gladly washing his hands of the situation but he had a new problem. He had to defend himself in writing, explaining why this Roman citizen felt so unfairly treated that he had to appeal to the highest court in the empire.

The hand of God was again moving behind the scenes in the life of this seemingly insignificant Jew. The writings God gave Paul while under house arrest in Rome, have made the world a different place. How often have we missed the silent hand of God moving on our behalf in circumstances around us? He is the God of all creation who delights in using vessels of clay to change the course of history.

“LORD, cleanse us and then use us to bring about Your kingdom wherever we go this day.”