August 25, 2023 | Be On Mission
Paul is Ready to Die in Jerusalem
Scripture: Acts 21:7-14(NIV)
7 We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. 8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
Devotional
In yesterday’s reading, we saw that the disciples in Tyre “through the Holy Spirit… urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem” (Acts 21:4). In today’s reading, Paul is in Jewish territory when a prophet dramatically ties himself to Paul’s belt and proclaims, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles’” (v. 11). Finally, Paul’s traveling companions and the believers in Caesarea “pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem” (v. 12).
Time and again Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem. These were godly people, who seemed to be listening to the Holy Spirit. But Paul saw it a different way, saying, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 13). How could Paul and the others have come to such different conclusions? When is it right to listen to the wisdom of others? When is it best to trust your own judgement?
Finally, Luke and the other traveling companions gave up and set out with Paul on his trek to Jerusalem, sixty five miles there and a half mile up in elevation. This trip had to be both physically and emotionally exhausting. It would have taken about three days, resting at night along the way. What do you imagine the mood was like? If you were one of those traveling with Paul, would you have talked about the past four-year missionary journey, the future troubles that lay ahead in Jerusalem, or the present landscape along the way?
Paul’s statement that he was prepared to die for Jesus was profound and prophetic. While he would not die in Jerusalem, this encounter would lead him to Rome, where he would eventually be executed years later. In Luke 14:27 Jesus said, “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” The cross was not a piece of beautiful jewelry or inspirational church architecture when Jesus said this. It meant only one thing: death by execution. What is this saying to you?
Poem
Your Sons And Daughters
Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:9
The prophet Joel foretold it
So very long ago
When comes the time
Of Spirit’s reign
Your sons and daughters
Up shall rise
And speak the Word of God
These prophesying children
Not limited by sex
Will boldly speak
As Christ they seek
Your daughters, sons
Mouths open wide
Will loudly share God’s message
So do not quench the Spirit
With legalistic rules
Which silence some
And stop the hum
The Spirit’s sons and daughters
Let God’s Word ride
Upon the breath, God’s chosen
