But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to

Jerusalem to be tried before me there on these charges?” Paul replied, “I am standing

at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as

even you yourself know very well. If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of

death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse

me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” (Acts 25:9-11)

This week we’ve been looking at the challenge of holding onto our Faith in Jesus when

the circumstances of life leave us feeling helpless. We began by looking at the idea of

“authority” and recognized that one of the primary ways Paul maintained his Faith was

by resting in the “authority” of Christ. Next, we looked at the courage that flows from a

clean conscience. A clean conscious which flows from obedience breeds courage, while

hidden sin and moral compromise before God breeds insecurity and fear.

Our study continues in verse 9 as Festus seeks to appease the Jewish leaders by

having Paul transported back to Jerusalem. Knowing that his case is becoming

increasingly complicated and that there is a risk of injustice, Paul appeals to Caesar

(which means he demands to be tried before the emperor in Rome). This was a legal

right of Roman citizens, and it would shift his trial from the local authorities to the

highest legal court in the Roman Empire. But as Paul makes his appeal in verse 11, he

speaks 7 words that all believers need to be able to say: “I am not trying to escape

death.” Paul is not afraid to die. In fact, listen to Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21&23

“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is

far better— but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”

Paul does not want to die. However, Paul clearly desires “to be with Christ” and his

desire to be with Christ is far greater than his concern for self-preservation. How do we

handle helpless situations as believers? We remind ourselves that the worse thing that

can happen to us in this life is death and on the other side of death is something “far

better” than a “long life” in this fallen world.

Q: Can you say with Paul “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain?”

Q: Are you more concerned with achieving a “long life” or “eternal life?”

Read John 14:1-4 for more encouragement.



By Jimmy Carter