"Out of Order;" Acts 24

May the mumbling commence!

Christians are “Out of Order” in the eyes of the world.  How many times have you seen the sign “Out of Order” on various vending machines or other pieces of electronics?  Most of us who have reached adulthood would be hard pressed to count the times.  For those who function under the logic and wisdoms of this world, Christians do seem like they are “Out of Order.”  In today’s passage from Acts chapter twenty-four, Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla probably thought Paul was “Out of Order.”  Read the passage below:

Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case."  He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. 

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.  As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."  At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. (Verses 22-26)

Talk about being king of the procrastinators club!  Felix, who knew quite a lot about the Way [Read Christianity] and who was married to Drusilla (a Jewess), wanted to postpone judgment on Paul’s case until the centurion who sent Paul to him arrived.  Was Lysias even on the way?  Had Felix even sent for him?  Felix likely knew enough to judge in the case of Paul, but he chose to bide his time.  Why did he do that?

Possible answer number one: Felix and Drusilla wanted a private audience with Paul.  They wanted to hear what this golden-voiced preacher had to say to them.  How did Paul answer them?  Paul spoke nothing to them about grace.  Instead, Paul spoke to them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come.

Paul might as well have put on “Out of Order” sign on his chest.  These words troubled Felix and his wife.  They wanted to wait for a more convenient time to listen to Paul.  Again, they choose to bide their time.  Why did they delay in hearing Paul out completely?  Maybe they weren’t ready for the level of change Paul’s words would ask of them as a couple in a position of power.

Possible answer number two (for Felix postponing judgment on Paul): Felix expected Paul to react like a normal person who was at the mercy of powerful people – like Felix himself who held Paul’s life in his hands.  Felix expected a bribe from Paul.  Felix expected Paul’s friends, who were allowed to “care for his needs,” to provide Paul with a bribe for his freedom.  But no bribe was forthcoming.  Again, Paul and his friends might as well have put “Out of Order” signs on their chests.

Felix must have been quite naïve if he thought Paul would offer him a bribe after the words that he shared with Felix and his wife.  Indeed, Felix did not know how to deal with Paul.  Paul operated so unlike the people of Felix’s world.  Felix left the problem of Paul for his successor.  And I bet Felix was happy to pass along this little bit of judgment and responsibility to someone else.

How are Christians seen by the world today?  How am I seen by those who know me?  How are you seen by those who know you?  Do they try to relate to us and find, in certain and irrevocable ways, that Christians are out of step with the world around them?  Would those outside of Christianity like to kick us like a malfunctioning vending machine?

In terms of my views on righteousness and self-control and judgment, I hope that I have a large “Out of Order” sign on my chest for those who operate on the assumptions and logic and wisdom of this world.  All Christians should be fervently looking for the kingdom of heaven to come.  It will, indeed, be a new world order that will put the current world order on its head.

I’m “Out of Order!”  Come, Lord Jesus.  We wait for you this Advent season.  Come!

Enough mumbling for now… 

Peace Out