I Appeal To Caesar

TITLE: I Appeal To Caesar
DATE: February 18, 2019
TEXT: Acts 25: 11-12 – ESV - 1 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
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Anyone who has ever entered the hospital is aware of the numerous pages of information which needs to be filled out. Name, age, height and weight are just the beginning of what they want to know. Those with a more even disposition are amazed that the hospital wants to know more about them than their own mother.

Those who are more temperamental draw the line when they are asked, “What was the weather like on your second birthday?” and “Which Vice-presidential candidate didn’t you vote for in the 1984 election?”

The hospital forms aren’t much different in Britain. It was the job of experienced nurse Sarah Kuteh to go over those questions with people being admitted to Darent Valley Hospital. One of the questions she was required to ask concerned the patient’s faith. It was not unusual for Sarah to talk to the patients about the faith, joy and peace she had been given in Jesus.

Most people appreciated Sarah’s testimony. A few didn’t, and they complained.

In June of 2016 Sarah was fired from the hospital and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said she could be employed only if she was under the direct supervision of a senior nurse. Sarah was confused, saying, “All I had done was to nurse and care for patients. How could it ever be harmful to tell someone about Jesus?”
At this point Sarah had a choice:

• She could accept these decisions and judgments made against her or
• She could fight them in court.

Sarah decided the matter should be taken to court for clarification. A British group Christian Legal Centre took… and won her case. After two years: the NMC dropped their restrictions and decided, “It is in the public interest to return an otherwise experienced and competent nurse into practice.”

Her Council said, “But for the question on the pre-op assessment questionnaire, these conversations would not have taken place,… Although it’s disappointing that she was ever penalized for her actions – which were wholly motivated by compassion – we rejoice that Sarah is once again free to bring her skill and expertise to her role as a nurse.”

You know, as Christians we have often been told to turn the other cheek and to emulate the Savior Who did not object or complain about His arrest and the hate which placed Him upon Calvary’s cross.

But we need to remember that the people of the early church did make use of their “day in court.” Before Caesar, or other magistrates, they were able to explain their faith in the Savior Who gave His life for their salvation. It is true, some of them lost and the blood of those martyrs was used by the Spirit to grow the church. But it is also true some of them won their case and people were converted to faith in the Savior Who gave Himself for our salvation

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, persecution against the Savior and His followers is global.  Grant that Your people may be found faithful and  give a good and proper witness to their faith and their Redeemer. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written  by Michael Foust for Christian Headlines on August 13, 2019 .  Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/nurse-who-was-fired-for-telling-patients-about-jesus-has-name-cleared.html

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html