Ruling on the Resurrection

Scripture: It was something about their religion and about someone called Jesus who died, but Paul insists is alive! I was perplexed as to how to decide a case of this kind and asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. Acts 25:19-20

Observation: When Paul is put on trial, his first hearing is before the Roman governor Festus. This is how Festus himself summarizes the issue when speaking to the Jewish king Agrippa ... that it was actually about a disagreement about the resurrection of Jesus. Festus declares he was "perplexed as to how to decide a case of this kind."

The issue, it seems, is that somehow the case presented to Festus had nothing to do with civil unrest and conflicts that occurred. They didn't even have to do with the issues of Jewish law and accusations of risking Roman authority. Instead, it was all about whether or not Jesus is alive. Festus declares the case ... totally inconclusive.

If this is all there is to the case, Festus could easily see that there is no crime and thus no guilt for Paul. So instead his lack of a decision must rest on more complex information, and that information could be ... a 20 year investigation conducted by both Roman and Jewish authorities, which has documented both that Jesus died, and that Jesus was later alive. Festus therefore cannot decide the matter not because he doesn't know how to apply the law, but because he would then himself be making a declarative decision in a matter - the resurrection - that is considered an open matter of belief.

Application: Faith in Jesus Christ involves belief in his resurrection. God managed the situation so that the largest and most powerful empire in the history of the world ... never found evidence contradicting the resurrection, and never made a legal declaration opposing the possibility.

By failing to rule either in favor of or against Paul, Festus is ruling that the issue of the resurrection - ultimately the only issue presented to to him - remains open. It never was proven either way.

I choose to believe hundreds of eye witnesses, backed up by centuries of supporting circumstances, over a handful of Jewish priests acting out of fear. Even this situation - Festus unwilling to declare the matter either irrelevant OR impossible - reveals divine intent. God can work with such neutrality to reveal his truth.

Prayer: Lord, I believe. May I believe more and more in everything about you, every day. Amen.