Bible Reading: Acts 25
Acts 25:18-19 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
The Jews wanted Paul dead. They were willing to do it legally or illegally. To them it did not matter because he was guilty of blasphemy. He was teaching things about God that were not right in their eyes. When Festus replaced Felix in Caesarea, he wanted to make sure Paul had an opportunity to face his accusers. He would not simply execute a man because someone said he should die. When he heard the accusations that were brought against Paul, he was surprised. He was not hearing the kinds of things he supposed he would hear.
He was not hearing of theft, rape or murder. He was hearing of things pertaining to the Jew’s superstition.
Apparently the Jews from Jerusalem were accusing Paul of breaking the Law of Moses and defiling the temple in Jerusalem. These things did not concern Festus. In his estimation, these things pertained to the Jewish superstition. The word translated ‘superstition’ can also mean religion. This trial is representative of almost all religious debates until this very day. Those who are religious argue concerning the intricacies of their religion. Those who are followers of Jesus do what Paul did.
Paul turned the conversation away from superstition and religion and onto a relationship with Jesus Christ. For Paul it was all about Jesus. He was dead, but Paul affirmed that he was now alive. This is the description that the risen Christ gives of himself.
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
There are thousands of different kinds of religions and superstitions around the world. Men are willing to kill and to die for their religion. But religion cannot save. Superstition cannot forgive of sins. To focus on religion is to miss the point of relationship. Jesus is alive! He is mighty to save. He is the One who conquered sin, death and hell. He has the keys of hell and death and he can give everlasting life. He desires a relationship with us.
The next time you are in a debate about religion and superstition, do what Paul did. He did not talk of these things; he talked of Jesus.
In Christ,
Rody
