Porcius Festus was the Roman governor after Felix who had left Apostle Paul imprisoned for two years, in order to please the Jews. The Jews who were against Paul for his faith in Jesus Christ, sought that Festus send Paul from Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned to Jerusalem so that they could lie in wait for Paul and kill him enroute. In order to please the Jews, Festus asks Paul if he would go to Jerusalem, but Paul appeals to Augustus Caesar and according to Roman customs, Festus, a Roman himself, is obliged to send Paul to Rome. In the meantime, king Agrippa and his pompous wife Bernice visit Festus. Festus shares with Agrippa about Paul and Agrippa wishes to hear from Paul. Paul defends himself and the gospel of Jesus Christ being resurrected from the dead, by the Power of God before Festus, Agrippa and Bernice. While Paul was still speaking about his personal life changing encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, and Jesus’ resurrection, which Festus thought was a superstition (Acts 25:19, 20), Festus interrupts Paul and in a loud voice, and accuses Paul to have lost his mind. Festus then sends Paul to Rome for trial since Paul appealed to Caesar. This account is recorded in Acts 25 and Acts 26.
What can we learn from Festus?
Pleasing men over pleasing God can have dire consequences for God’s people. We must be not be like Festus who sought to please the Jews that falsely accused Paul of deserving to die for being a follower of Christ. Additionally, when we share of the gospel of Jesus Christ; his death and resurrection, it is likely that even officials in power (like Festus) can interrupt us and brand us to be lunatics. This is because the preaching of the Cross is foolishness to them that perish, but unto them that are saved, it is the Power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). When we preach the good news of the Jesus’ death and resurrection for the salvation of all, we must deem it an honor to be branded a mad (out of our mind) man or woman, for Jesus Christ, the One who is madly in love with you and me.
Acts 26:22-26 (KJV)
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
