The tension between justice and politics is nothing new. Legislators often make compromises, agreeing to vote for one bill in order to gain support for another. Even judges sometimes render decisions with one eye on the headlines – the Supreme Court which routinely overturned Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation began to rule in his favor as his popularity grew.

Just so, even though Paul had been in prison for 2 years (24:27), the Jewish leaders were still accusing him of trying to profane the Temple and to start a riot (24:5-6). Paul just as steadfastly maintained his innocence (25:8). So, when Paul’s enemies were unable to substantiate any of their charges against him (25:7), Porcius Festus had a difficult decision to make.

Because Paul was a Roman citizen and had not been proven guilty, he could and should have been set free (26:32). However, the most important residents of Festus’ province all wanted Paul to be taken to Jerusalem to be tried once again (25:2-3) – probably so they could exert greater influence over the outcome. So, how could Festus hope to govern such a notoriously unruly province if he didn’t throw the religious leaders a bone now and then? Politically, it just made sense to send Paul to Jerusalem, even if that meant sending him into harm’s way (25:3).

But the good news is that, in spite of the religious leaders’ lies and schemes, and regardless of Festus’ political calculations, and in spite of the dishonesty and corruption of so many of our modern political leaders, it is only God’s will that ultimately matters. For that’s exactly what was done when Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal directly to the emperor for judgment. For when Festus sent him to the emperor, Paul would have the opportunity to bear witness to Christ in Rome, which is exactly what Jesus had told him would happen (23:11).

So, sure, we can go on playing politics, trying to manipulate the system to our personal advantage. But why not set out to do God’s will instead? Since that’s eventually what’s going to happen, it only makes sense to get on the winning side.

Acts 25:1-12 (ESV)

Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,
3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem– because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.
5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”
6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.
8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.
11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”