December 6, Acts 24
It’s often tempting to be dishonest. Procrastination steals time and opportunity from almost everyone. It takes calm courage to defend ourselves without retaliating against accusers. Here are three lessons from three lives.
When the Jews came to accuse Paul before Felix, their spokesman was an orator named Tertullus. His presentation reeked of deceit. Tertullus’ flattery may have been standard protocol for addressing Roman officials, but it was all a lie, and everybody present knew it. Jews had plenty of emotions toward the occupying Romans, but gratitude was not one of them. Yet Tertullus heaped praise on the governor and expressed appreciation for him. Then, every line of his so-called case betrayed their prejudice and bitterness against Paul. Like a spin doctor, Tertullus alluded to real events, but misconstrued Paul’s actions in them. He resorted to name-calling (“plague,” “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes”) and recommended that Felix investigate the accusations. (The Romans usually investigated such things by torturing the suspect.) The spiritual leaders of Judaism affirmed all the lies.
Paul’s candid defense was like an odor removing disinfectant spray. With a nod to Felix’s authority and experience, he stated facts and denied the false charges. He admitted he disrupted the Sanhedrin by crying out about the resurrection. This acknowledgment was masterful—it reminded the accusing Pharisees they had acquitted him less than a week ago. His conclusion asserted he was on trial for what he believed, not anything he had done.
If the Jews’ tactic was deceit and Paul’s was defense, Felix’s specialty was delay. He postponed his decision until Lysias could come. Since the tribune had been involved, that seemed reasonable. During the delay, Paul was kept in custody, which was a mixed blessing. It kept Paul from his missionary travels, but it also kept him from being assassinated by the Jews. It did not keep him from preaching. Paul addressed the governor several times during his confinement. Once when Paul preached about righteousness, self-control and judgment, Felix was alarmed. Some versions say, “Felix trembled.” But he delayed again, sending Paul away until he got “an opportunity.” Felix may have rationalized the delay, thinking it helped everyone involved. It kept Paul from stirring up the Jews, and kept the Jews from killing Paul. But Luke unmasked Felix’s real motives. One motive was to get a bribe from Paul. Then, as a political favor to the Jews (motive number two), Felix left Paul in jail when he moved out of the governor’s mansion two years later. Bribery and political maneuvering are nothing new or modern; Felix was a product of his environment.
Which of these three characteristics best characterizes your life? Are you honest, or are your words tinged with deceit? Is your life straightforward enough that you can defend yourself against accusations without becoming defensive? Do you miss opportunities because you delay taking action? These ancient Bible characters are very much like you and me. We can learn a lot from them.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—December 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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