Acts 25

A cursory reading of this chapter would reveal that Festus, the man in charge of ruling over Paul's case, can't seem to find any fault in him, certainly nothing deserving of death as his accusers are insisting. And this assessment is accurate.

But upon a closer reading, one begins to get the sense that Festus doesn't see any real importance in this matter. "When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive" (vv 18-19). He speaks of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, his death and resurrection, and the argument between Jews and Christians about whether or not he is the promised Messiah, as if it were reduced to this: There's some guy named Jesus who some say is dead, and Paul says is alive.

There is no greater question to answer! The whole Bible points to Christ Jesus, who, although being God himself, was born into the likeness of men, lived a perfect life, died a sinner's death on the cross so that God the Father bestowed on him the name that is above every name. My pastor said yesterday that every knee will bow and every tongue confess, the difference is that some will do so in an act of worship, and the rest will do so in an act of self-incrimination.

Which will it be for you?