ESOCS Devotional 19 July 2025 – Jesus Cancels All Devil’s Accusations
MEMORY VERSE: “But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write.” Acts 25:26 NLT
TEXT: HOSEA 8:1-15
To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ 17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, 19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”
“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”
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The Jews were hell bent on having Paul executed because of the hardness of his preaching. They tried all manners of approach, including railing false accusations against him, but to no avail. Governor Festus was overwhelmingly confused, as he struggled to fathom out any reasonable point on which to base his condemnation of Paul. That is what happens in the life of every true believer in Christ Jesus, for no weapon fashioned against them shall prosper, even as every accusing tongue against them are condemned (Isaiah 54:17).
In the revelation of Jesus Christ to John the beloved at the Island of Patmos, we hear a loud voice shouting across the heavens. The emphasis is that salvation, power, and the kingdom of our God, as well as the authority of Christ Jesus have arrived at last. This follows the casting down of the accuser, who ceaselessly accuses people before God (Job 1:7-10; Zechariah 3:1-3). It is very clear that this fit was made possible by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the power in the word of God (Revelation 12:10-11).
In Zechariah 3:1-3, the accuser (Satan) is pictured standing before the angel of the Lord and railing accusations against Joshua the high priest. Yes! Joshua’s priestly garment was tainted with sin, as symbolized by his filthy appearance. However, by the mercies and God’s unfailing love for His own, the Lord rejected the accusations of Satan and ordered that the filthy garment be removed from His servant Joshua, and to clothe him with new raiment. This symbolizes forgiveness and washing away of iniquity.
An important picture of God’s forgiveness and salvation is that of putting on new clean garments. In fact, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is for the most part, referred to as putting on a new raiment. Hallelujah! Who is yet to come to Jesus for the cleansing power? Hurry now, come and be washed in the blood of the Lamb of God.
CHALLENGES
- The Blood of Jesus cleanses from all sins. Do you believe?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, I come to Thee for the remission of my sins.
FURTHER READING: Hosea 10:1-15; 13:1-16; Acts 26:1-13
ESOCS Devotional 19 July 2025
