An Appeal To Caesar

AN APPEAL TO CAESAR

a prayer to open

Holy Spirit, come. Center my heart.

Fill my mind. Guide my steps.

Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”

About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn’t prove.

Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said.

Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”

But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!”

Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”

We don’t know what motivated Paul when he appeared before the new governor, Festus, to appeal to Caesar. Did he hope for real justice and an acquittal? Was he seeking to live out Jesus’ promise to him that he would testify in Rome? Was it a little bit of both? We do know from Paul’s letters that he had respect for the rule of law: He encouraged followers of Jesus to obey the law (see Romans 13:1-7) and pray for governmental leaders (see 1 Timothy 2:1-2). In our divisive political climate, we can be tempted to dishonor our leaders with our words. Most of us hardly think about praying for them, especially if we disagree with their policies and causes. Paul offered us a different way.

• Read this passage again. What word or phrase stands out to you? Sit quietly, reminding yourself that you are in God’s loving presence, and ask him to show you how that word or phrase connects to your life.
• Reflect on the words you use with friends, family, and colleagues and on social media about current or would-be government leaders. What attitudes do your words reflect? How well do you do at respecting these leaders and seeing them as human beings made in God’s image?
• Do you regularly pray for governmental leaders, even those you disagree with? Why or why not?

Father, thank you for the leaders who have stepped into government to bring order to society and ensure peace and justice. Help me see these leaders with your eyes—eyes of love and compassion. Forgive me for things I have said that have diminished leaders or when I’ve failed to extend them grace and mercy in their human frailty. I pray that my words would be used to build people up, not tear them down. Guide me in honoring you and in my role as an ambassador of Christ in this world. Amen.