Overcoming Frustration January 14th, 2024
Spirit of truth and life, speak to us in the stories of Scripture. As we listen, touch us with your Word for our lives and for the times in which we live so that we may follow in the footsteps of Christ, your Living Word. Amen.
Well, it’s been a month and a half since we’ve last heard about the Apostle Paul and the trials and tribulations he’s been going through as he risks life and limb to spread the Gospel message to both Jews and Gentiles throughout the Middle East and parts of Asia.
When we left him last, he had just avoided another assassination attempt by the Jewish leaders of the Temple in Jerusalem who wished to get rid of him because he was telling all who would listen that Jesus Christ was the long promised Messiah for the world. They were so opposed to him that they’d even resort to murder. It ended up that the governor of Judea had to step in to protect Paul and had him put in prison to do so.
But our Lord was using the harassment and imprisonment to direct Paul to a valuable ministry in Rome where he would not only witness for Jesus but would write some of the most important letters in history that are now contained in the New Testament. Letters that have changed millions of lives.
In order to get to Rome, Paul had to go through a maze of Jewish plots. The ancient Jews had made many complaints about Paul but were unable to prove any of them. Still, Paul knew it would take every ounce of his spiritual wisdom to outwit them. The Jewish accusers at that time were shameless as they were willing to perjure themselves as they did all they could to try and have Paul found guilty of their trumped up charges.
And it’s no different for us. If we are going to reach the goals God sets for us it will require a great deal of determination, savvy, and toughness in the face of stiff opposition. We need to always be asking the Lord for guidance to help us grow in our resolve, strength, and moral firmness.
In our reading this morning the Apostle Luke begins with these words, “After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favour, Felix left Paul in prison.” So, Paul was in prison, in the town of Caesarea for some two years, being held by the Roman governor, Felix.
Surely Paul had been hoping, all through these two long, weary years, that God would allow the door to be opened for him to be free, that finally justice would prevail, and he'd be turned loose again. He wasn’t guilty of any crime, the accusations against him were totally false and there was no reason he should have to be confined for such a long period of time.
Paul could have easily become frustrated while he waited in prison in Caesarea. Felix knew that Paul was innocent, but he kept him in prison, hoping for a bribe from Paul’s wealthy friends. When that didn’t come, and Felix was recalled to Rome, he left Paul imprisoned.
As Christians, we will often face circumstances that can either be frustrating or fruitful for the Lord, depending on how we handle it. If we see things only from a human perspective, we’ll grow impatient and frustrated as we think, “What a waste of time!” But if we see God’s sovereign hand directing all of our circumstances according to his plan, then we can rest in him, knowing that he will work everything together for good in his time, according to his purposes.
Now after Felix was recalled to Rome, a new governor had come to replace him, a man by the name of Porcius Festus. The situation in Judea was tense and unsettled, for the population was always on the edge of uprising against their Roman overlords. And as Festus sets up shop in Caesarea, which was the provincial capital, he has one basic goal: keep the peace, keep the lid on, don’t let things boil over. And it’s not easy because already powerful winds of revolution are blowing across the land.
In the bible it tells us, the first thing Festus does is to try and appease the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. This is what took place, “Three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem where the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews gave him a report against Paul. They appealed to him and requested, as a favour to them against Paul, to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way.”
The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem realized that they did not have much hope of doing away with Paul through the Roman courts. Paul’s opponents took advantage of the governor’s newness on the job to present their case against Paul and urge that he be brought to Jerusalem for trial. But they knew that their case against Paul was too weak.
Consequently, they urged the new governor to return Paul to Jerusalem so they could kill him on the way there. But Festus wasn’t going to let those Jewish leaders get the upper hand by telling him how to manage his affairs, so he told them that they could come to Caesarea and present their case against Paul. This is what he told them, “‘let those of you who have the authority come down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.’”
So, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem took Festus up on his offer and made the journey to Caesarea. And, once again, Paul found himself standing before the same angry accusers who had tried to get him executed two years earlier. Here’s what took place, “…the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem surrounded him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove.”
Now Paul could again have become frustrated. It seemed like more of the “same old, same old.” These fellows just wouldn’t quit! They didn’t have anything new to say. Their charges, which they couldn’t prove, were basically the same as before, that Paul was violating Jewish laws, that he had desecrated the temple, and that he was a threat to the Roman government. Paul could have impatiently thought, “When will this ever end, so that I can get on with the more important task of taking the gospel to the people who have never heard about Christ?”
But Paul didn’t grow frustrated or impatient. Instead, he calmly defended himself before this same angry group of Jews and before the new governor. As the trial progressed, Festus saw a way that he could now gain some political capital with the Jews, and so he reversed his earlier decision and offered to move the trial to Jerusalem.
Suddenly Festus is willing to grant Paul’s Jewish accusers a favour, but it is for self-serving reasons. He now realizes that he is in way over his head and that he has no idea what to do next. He cannot find Paul innocent without incurring the anger of the Jewish leaders. He cannot find Paul guilty because no charges have been established.
So, Festus says to Paul, “‘Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?’” And Paul replied, “‘I am appealing to the emperor’s tribunal; this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. Now if I am in the wrong and have committed something for which I deserve to die, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can turn me over to them. I appeal to the emperor.’” Paul could see that he wasn’t going to get a fair trial there, in front of Festus and the Jewish leaders, so he chose to go and defend himself in front of the emperor in Rome.
And this was Festus’ reply, “‘You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go.’”
So, what can we learn from these events? First, we can see that Paul was not afraid to stand up for the truth and defend himself against false accusations. He did not compromise his faith or his message, even when he faced powerful enemies and possible death. He trusted in God's sovereignty and justice, knowing that God had a plan for his life and ministry.
Second, we can see that Paul used his legal rights as a citizen to protect himself and advance the gospel. He did not rely on human wisdom or cunning, but on God's guidance and providence. He knew that by appealing to Caesar, he would have an opportunity to witness to the highest authority in the Roman Empire and fulfill his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Third, we can see that Paul was ready to die for Christ if necessary. He did not cling to his life or his comfort, but he was willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. He said, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) Paul had a heavenly perspective and a hope for a better world ahead of him.
As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves: Are we bold and faithful like Paul in proclaiming the gospel and defending our faith? Are we wise and prudent like Paul in using our rights and resources for God's glory? Are we willing and patient like Paul in facing trials and tribulations for Christ’s sake? Are we prepared to not give up in frustration? May God help us to follow Paul’s example and be faithful witnesses of his grace and truth in our generation.
Let us Pray:
Heavenly Father, we ask you to overcome our frustrations, to calm our minds and hearts, and to fill us with your peace and joy. We confess that sometimes we have let the circumstances of life overwhelm us and have forgotten to trust in you. Please forgive us for our lack of faith and help us to remember your promises and your power. You are the God who loves us unconditionally, and cares for us in every situation. Thank you for hearing our prayers, and for being with us always. Amen.