Acts 24:10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.
Court proceedings are fascinating. Just to prove I am not alone in this feeling, take a look at the courtroom shows, and dramas centered on the courtroom, and you get a sense that many people enjoy listening to the proceedings. Some are very fun to watch like Judge Judy.
Since Roman times, the procedures in the courtroom haven’t changed that much. Charges are read. Plea is entered. Prosecution and defense both get to present evidence including witnesses. Then the judge makes the decision on guilt or innocence.
As we read this chapter today, some of the very same things were recorded here in Scripture. This is a Roman court proceeding after all. And our system of justice is based on this Roman system. But this trial doesn’t get completed. No witnesses were called. Only the opening arguments were presented.
The power of a judge shouldn’t be overestimated, even in our system of justice today, just as back then. In our chapter the judge, Felix, takes his good old time getting around to starting the trial. For Felix, Paul is someone out of whom he might extract a bribe.
While bribing judges or other law enforcement officers isn’t that prevalent here in the United States, in other parts of the world it is standard practice. If you want to get something done, it requires a bribe of the correct official or officials. “Greased palm” administration of government is the standard in much of the world.
But Paul isn’t willing to make the bribe. Instead, Paul gets multiple opportunities to present the Gospel to both Felix and his wife. Think of it! Paul gets to share the Gospel with the most influential Roman official in that region, repeatedly. Now that is an unexpected evangelist method. Get arrested and be of such interest that the judge wants to meet with you often.
And Paul makes the most of these encounters. He could push for a speedy trial, but then his opportunity to share the Truth with this high official would end. And he isn’t willing to poke justice in the eye either. That would be a compromise of the Truth.
So Paul spends two extra years not being able to do what his freedom in Christ and his compulsion to share the Gospel with the Gentiles would direct him to do. But we don’t know the effect that Paul’s life during this time had. How many palace servants did he impact? How many guests? How many vendors that supplied the palace with the fine things in life had the opportunity to hear?
You see, just because we think there is something standing in the way of God’s will in our life doesn’t mean there is. Perhaps God’s will is today and not tomorrow, here and not there, ready to be shared and not still in preparation.
If we have accepted Jesus and begun our relationship with Him, God wants to use us right now to share the good news of Jesus. We just need to share what has happened in our lives. It is the simple Truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection that makes this possible.
So, why are we waiting? Opportunities will happen today. Are you ready to open your mouth and speak, knowing that the Holy Spirit will fill it?
The Arnold Journey 