But I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. Acts 25:26

The chief officers, both military and civil, are present when Agrippa and Bernice make their grand entrance into the audience hall. One would think that this event is all about these two grand guests and yet this gathering has to do with what Festus should legally do with Paul the Apostle for Jesus Christ.

Festus begins by stating that the Jerusalem Jewish conglomeration desires for Paul to be put to death yet Festus finds no just cause for this action. To Festus, Paul has stated as a Roman citizen that his situation ought to go forward to the emperor’s court. Festus lays before the dignitaries gathered before him that Festus has nothing negative nor chargeable to send in a letter to the sovereign.

Paul is listening to the Holy Spirit’s directions– what to say, how to say it, and to whom to speak it to. Surely Paul is not humored nor comforted by Festus’ opening words because they merely are couched in the intention to find something with which to say about Paul so he can be sent on his way to the emperor’s court. Festus is a coward.

How many times throughout history have those in power, seeing innocence, have taken the opportunity to turn their heads away without examination of the facts– and these facts would have led to Festus’ and others salvation in Christ. Would that these would have humbled themselves and come to Christ we still would have seen Paul continue to speak before kings, emperors, dignitaries, and audience because it is Christ’s Plan that all the world should be offered Christ.

23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then Festus gave the order and Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish community petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death; and when he appealed to his Imperial Majesty, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write— 27 for it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.” Acts 25:22-27