Acts 25:16 (ESV Strong's)
I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
The Nations Have Their Ways!!
The above passage is being taken from Paul’s defense before one of Caesar’s representative: Festus. He was the procurator of the providence to represent Caesar’s interest. The main emphasis of his work was financial in nature - making sure Caesar could collect the taxes he needed to collect. But, Festus would also be in charge of legal manners. As the “governor” of the providence, he would hear cases that were not decided by lessor men of authority. In this case, Paul was brought before him in regard to the charges of the Jewish leaders who had come from Jerusalem. They wanted Paul dead. But, Festus saw no reason for Paul to be put to death, despite the Jews false claims. When King Agrippa arrived, Festus wanted to explain to him Paul’s case. Agrippa had a great familiarity with both the Jewish laws and the Roman laws. In the above verse Festus highlights the pinnacle of Roman society: Their Legal System. The Babylonians and Persian nations had their power. The Greeks had their philosophy. The Romans had their laws, rules and legal system. Festus is quite proud of Roman’s system and wants to show Agrippa he is knowledgeable in this area. Paul had appealed to the Roman legal system. Festus and Agrippa were willing to allow it to free him or convict him. The pride of Festus in the “legal” approach is seen in the above text. But, the legal system, as great as it was, would not bring redemption to Festus, Agrippa, or anyone else that day. Paul would present to them the power of the Gospel. That was God’s system. The world has their structure and system. God has His structure and system: The Gospel!! There is no similarity in the nation’s way and Christ’s way. King Nebuchadnezzar thought he could bring peace to the world through power; the same with Cyrus and Darius the kings of the Medes and Persians. But, where are those great, powerful nations now? The philosophers of the Greeks (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) all thought they could bring peace to the world through intellectual thought. Where is that great nation today? The Romans thought their great legal minds and legal society would bring peace to the world. Where is that great nation today? Jesus comes to introduce His great Kingdom. It is a Kingdom of peace and love and justice and power. The nations have their way. But, their ways always fail. Jesus’ Kingdom last forever!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment