The People’s Court
ACTS 24:1-27 (July 6)
"The People's Court" used to be one of the ways I would waste away a little time every afternoon. I'm not sure, but I think it might still be shown on some little-known channel that only plays reruns.
The gist of the show was that people would come before the judge, bringing their charges against someone for some ridiculous thing they had done. I could wrap my head around some of the charges, but some were absolutely ludicrous and all I could do was laugh.
In some ways, this show made a mockery of our court system. And that is what I see happening with these charges against Paul. These Jews are being ridiculous. Paul is an innocent man. Their only reason for having him stand trial is they are acting out of fear and jealousy.
It took five days for Annais to arrive with some other Jewish leaders. They went before Felix, the governor, to present their case against Paul. They made three allegations against Paul:
He was a troublemaker who stirred up riots among the Jews around the world.
He was the ringleader of an unrecognized religious sect, which was against Roman law.
He had tried to desecrate the temple.
(Doesn't this all sound like a very bad episode of The People's Court?)
They were hoping these accusations would convince Felix to execute Paul. But Paul met their accusations with a rebuttal of his own. (Both sides get to tell their story,) He refuted them point by point.
Not only was Paul able to defend himself in every way, but he also managed to present the gospel message during his defense. He shared that he followed the Way and believed in the resurrection.
Felix was familiar with the Way, so he adjourned the hearing. He told them, "Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case."
After a few days, Felix brought his wife, Drusilla to hear Paul speak about faith in Christ. Druscilla was a professing Jew, even though her great-grandfather, Herod the Great, murdered Jewish baby boys in his efforts to destroy the newborn Jesus, the promised Messiah. (I'd like to see HIM in The People's Court!)
She was a woman of rare beauty. She married King Azizus of Emessa when she was only 14 years old. When they had been married only a year, Felix persuaded her to leave Azizus and to marry him illegally.
While she did get the opportunity to hear Paul speak the gospel, she did not respond to his message. She lived a shameful, wasted life. Before she turned 41, she died a horrible, violent death when Mount Vesuvius erupted and both her and her only child were buried under the burning lava.
All that talk about the gospel frightened Felix, so he ordered Paul to go away, telling him he would call for him in a few days. Two years later, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and his final act was to leave Paul still waiting in prison for his freedom.
The People's Court had taken place, but no judgement was ever rendered. And Paul was left imprisoned, waiting for release, and the opportunity to continue his good work.