It’s a perfect day to share some Daily Bread, and a warm welcome back to you. Let’s see, where were we? Well, we’ve got Paul, now sent to Felix the governor, awaiting his accusers in Herod’s judgment hall. His accusers, the Jewish people, had a group of men who had made an oath to go on a hunger and thirst strike, until Paul was slain, but Paul’s nephew overheard about this and informed the chief captain in Jerusalem, who in turn, safely delivered Paul with a company of soldiers to Felix in Cæsarea. Let’s take a look at what happened next.

          After five days, Ananias, the high priest, went to Cæsarea with the elders, and with a spokesman for them named Tertullus. When he was called to speak, Tertullus began to accuse Paul, saying, Most noble Felix, we enjoy great peace and the very worthy deeds that are done in this nation by your generosity, and we accept it always, and in all places, with all thankfulness. However, so I don’t bore you further, I ask that you would hear us, of your mercy, a few words. We’ve found this man to be a pest, and disloyal among all the Jewish people throughout the world. He’s a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who has also profaned the Temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our law, but the chief captain, Lysias, interfered, and violently took him away, ordering his accusers to come to you, so you can see first hand why we accuse him. All the Jewish people present, agreed, saying that the accusations were true.

          When the governor had motioned for Paul to speak, he answered,

          When Felix heard these things, having more exact knowledge of that way (the way = Christianity), he detained them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain comes here, I’ll decide your case. Felix commanded a centurion to guard Paul, and to let him have freedom, and that he should forbid none of his friends to minister or visit him.

          After certain days, Felix brought his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, and he sent for Paul, and listened to him concerning the faith in Christ. As he thought about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for now; when I have a convenient time, I’ll call for you. He also hoped that money would be given to him from Paul, to free him: so he sent for him more often, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus became the governor in Felix’ place: and Felix, wishing to please the Jewish people, left Paul imprisoned.

          Can you believe it? Two years! Some people, you can tell, they want to be good in their hearts and they try. Felix wanted his wife to hear Paul speak, and he respectfully reflected on the things that Paul said, but when it came down to the bottom line, money was Felix's motivation and he wanted to be paid to let Paul go, but his hopes were in vain. You could think of Felix as the seed that fell among the thorns (Matthew 13:22).