They had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. (Acts 25:19 NIV)

When Paul stood trial in Caesarea because the Jews had accused him, Festus, the Roman ruler, found that he had done nothing illegal. Instead he heard from Paul about Jesus, probably for the first time in his life. To Festus, Jesus had no value and was not a personal friend. Let alone a risen Saviour. To him, it was a story about a religious dispute “about a dead man named Jesus”. He had not encountered Jesus in person yet.

This is what Christianity is like to many people. A far off religion about “a dead man named Jesus”. Many people do not know what the Easter message is really about. Many have never heard the gospel. They are like Festus.

For others, Jesus is their Lord and Saviour and they experience a personal relationship with him. They are like Paul.

Who is Jesus to you?

Who is He to your neighbours or colleagues?

Are they a Festus or a Paul?

It they are a Festus, they need to hear the gospel so they can be changed by it. Just like Saul became Paul because of an encounter with Jesus, they can be changed by Jesus. Let’s go and share the gospel with them!