I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him, but I have nothing definite to write to my Lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.
Acts 25:25-27

This was how Festus, the new Governor, began Paul’s hearing. Paul had appealed to have his case decided by the Emperor, the highest court in the Roman Empire, because he knew he could not get a fair trial in Jerusalem. (In fact, there was a plot to have him murdered before he ever got there.)

It was Paul’s right as a Roman Citizen to make this appeal. The trouble in Festus’ mind was that he knew perfectly well that Paul was innocent of any crimes and that the charges against him would be laughed out of court in Rome.

He would look silly, as though he couldn’t handle the job he’d just been assigned. But if he just dropped all the charges, the local authorities would complain that he cared nothing about their customs and didn’t understand them.

So he called a hearing just to see if he couldn’t come up with something, anything, that would stick. He figured if he let Paul talk, maybe he would incriminate himself.

If people are out to get you because you follow Jesus, they will find something bad to say about you. It doesn’t have to make any sense or be true; they’ll twist your words to fit their narrative.

Don’t worry about them. Don’t be afraid of their accusations or their twisted thinking. Be faithful to God and His Word. Be kind, gracious and forgiving. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Other people are watching, too. Some of them will see what a follower of Jesus looks like under pressure and decide they want what you have.

Lord Jesus, You know all about false accusations and kangaroo trials; You’ve been there before me. Help me, when I find myself under pressure, to keep my eyes on You, to be faithful, to let Your light shine through me and give glory to my Father in heaven. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles