ARE YOU WILLING?
Acts 25:1-22 (v.9)
Dr. Wm. J. Maxwell
First Presbyterian Church, Newport, RI
January 20, 2008
The changing of the guard: for those who’ve visited London and who’ve seen this wonderful sight, it is truly awe-inspiring. But the changing of the guard isn’t always this way, as in Paul’s situation, for example. As we continue to look at Paul’s trials before going to Rome, we find a “changing of the guard” in Roman procurators. Antonius Felix is now replaced by Porcius Festus.
At first glance, this change might have appeared to be beneficial for Paul and his own particular situation. Whereas Felix was a man who was cruel, greedy and not to be trusted, Porcius Festus had a much more promising reputation. Festus was a Roman who was from the powerful and influential Portia clan. He was known to be a prudent man with an honorable reputation. But Festus was still a politician, and for Roman procurators ruling over the Province of Judea, they needed political skill and prowess in order to pacify the Jews.
When in Caesarea, Festus brought Paul to trial and yet again it seemed to not go very well at all. Paul made his defense and declared his full and complete innocence. “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” [i] But then the politician in Festus came to the forefront, and Paul could see it. Whether it was in his voice, a glint in his eye, or in the way he framed the question, Festus soon gave Paul the idea that he was about to do the Jews “a favor”: “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
Paul could see the direction this was heading: his own imminent death by the Jews in Jerusalem. Listen again to Paul’s careful reply: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done anything wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
Paul was given very little choice in this matter. He wasn’t afraid nor was he hesitant to die for the cause of Christ. Before he ever went to Jerusalem, Paul had said openly: “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”[ii] At the same time, he wasn’t ready to die a needless death. So he then decided to exercise his right as a Roman citizen to have his trial come before Nero in Rome.
Now, judging by what we know of Nero, was this really a smart move? Actually, there was wisdom in Paul’s making such an appeal. During this time in Nero’s reign, Nero was willing to be influenced by a beneficent philosopher named Seneca and Nero had not yet shown his hatred for Christianity or for Christians. Paul may have been hoping for a complete acquittal and for official endorsement of Christianity as a legalized religion in the Empire as well.
Now, we could go on with this story. But the question of Festus still hangs on in my mind, and I wonder and even hope that it does for you, too. “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial …” “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and testify …”
When we look at Paul’s life closely, we find in Paul a man quite responsive to the Lord. Again and again, it was as if the Lord was asking him, “Paul, are you willing to go there and testify for Me?” “Are you willing to go to Galatia … to Ephesus … to Thessalonica … to Athens … to Corinth and testify for me there?”
Others have been asked by the Lord and have done this, too, like Steve and Shannon Chastain.[iii] Now, we can’t all be like the Chastain’s and go overseas to the Netherlands in ministry. But we don’t have to be. They answered the call for them … “Are you willing?” What we do need to do is to assess whether or not we are willing to answer the Lord, “Yes, I am willing, in the place You intend for me.”
We can show our willingness by being ready to give our witness for Christ to others in the places He intends for us with both compassion for those who don’t know Christ and in the simplicity of our message. It really bothers me that so many of us feel we must have seminary degrees before we can share our faith adequately with others. We ought to remember the apostles, as they were described by the Pharisees as “un-schooled, ordinary men …” and (how) they were identified as “men (who) had been with Jesus.” [iv] The Pharisees were “astonished” at their courage and influence. But the apostles had merely spoken in the simplicity of their message, in the truth of the Gospel, and in the power of the Spirit. Please remember, the Gospel is simply Good News, and it is about Jesus and His love. That’s it. A little bit more perhaps, but not by much.
I’m sure many of you recall the story of Dr. Karl Barth, one of the most prominent theologians in the 20th century, but it’s well worth retelling. This noted Swiss theologian produced a series of theology volumes called Church Dogmatics that total over 10,000 pages! Can you imagine? 10,000 pages of material on the subject of theology!
On one occasion in the mid 60’s when visiting this country, the noted professor was asked the question: “Professor Barth, what is the greatest theological discovery you have ever made?” With everyone’s attention riveted to the noted theologian, they were startled as they heard him reply: “Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so.”
Whereas Dr. Barth could write and did write volumes of Christian theology, the message can be simple and it can be life-changing. In the end, it was simple and it was life-changing for him!
Centuries ago, Paul was asked, “Are you willing …?” And, again, I can’t help but hear the Lord asking us the very same question: “Are you willing to testify to your faith in Me?” When we are willing to share with others in the places our Lord chooses for us, let’s remember to keep it simple, for it is in the end, a simple message of Jesus and His love!