Have you ever headed to a meeting that you knew was going to be bad? Have you ever had an appointment that you just knew was going to hurt – physically, emotionally, financially? Did you face the moment? In dread, did you turn away from it?
Paul has been warned that if he returns to Jerusalem it will mean pain, and probably death. In verse four it says that, “through the Spirit they [the disciples in Tyre] were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” Later, a prophet named Agabus told Paul that he would be bound by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles – language that is very similar to what Jesus used of Himself before He was crucified.
What creates a little confusion for me is that through the Spirit Paul was told not to go, and he went anyway. This sounds a lot like disobedience to me, but virtually everything else we see in Paul is very obedient. Perhaps, the Spirit had warned Paul of the same, and told him, “Go,” and it was love and concern that moved the others to warn Paul, “Don’t go.” I don’t know, but it is clear that Paul’s earthly life has little meaning to him, and he is very willing to suffer and even die for Jesus’ sake, and the sake of the Gospel.
Oh, to have that kind of courage! Not only to be willing to die for Jesus, but also to be willing to live for him!
The prophecy comes true within this same chapter.
In order to show that he still honors the Jewish laws, Paul, under the advice of the leaders of the church of Jerusalem, goes to the Temple for a rite of purification. He takes four Jewish Christians with him who are going through the same ritual and he pays for them as well. All of this is intended to be a statement: “Look, Paul is following the law and customs of Moses!”
However, there were certain Jews there that day from the province of Asia who recognized Paul, and they made an outcry and accused him of bringing non-Jewish people into the Temple to defile it. There aren’t many accusations which would be more offensive, and the people begin to riot and to seek to stone Paul – much as they did when a younger Paul, still going by the name Saul, watched the coats of the men who stoned Stephen. This time, however a Roman officer was nearby, and with his cohort he came and took Paul from them. God was not done with Paul yet, and even this occasion would become an opportunity to share the Gospel, as we will read tomorrow.
One other thing to note here is the power of speaking someone else’s language. Paul speaks to the officer in Greek, and then addresses the crowd in Hebrew . . . and they listen. As we follow Jesus through this world, we should always keep the end in mind. We will die and go home to be with Jesus. In the mean time we go where God sends us. He is Lord, we are servants. As we seek to share the Gospel in languages that people can understand they will listen, and believe.
Father in Heaven, give me boldness by your Holy Spirit so that I might follow where you lead me. Help me to see You as Lord of my life and to obey Your will for me. Let me share the Good News of Your Salvation with many so that that the name of Jesus will be glorified and countless people will receive forgiveness through faith in Him. Amen.
Paul has been warned that if he returns to Jerusalem it will mean pain, and probably death. In verse four it says that, “through the Spirit they [the disciples in Tyre] were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” Later, a prophet named Agabus told Paul that he would be bound by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles – language that is very similar to what Jesus used of Himself before He was crucified.
What creates a little confusion for me is that through the Spirit Paul was told not to go, and he went anyway. This sounds a lot like disobedience to me, but virtually everything else we see in Paul is very obedient. Perhaps, the Spirit had warned Paul of the same, and told him, “Go,” and it was love and concern that moved the others to warn Paul, “Don’t go.” I don’t know, but it is clear that Paul’s earthly life has little meaning to him, and he is very willing to suffer and even die for Jesus’ sake, and the sake of the Gospel.
Oh, to have that kind of courage! Not only to be willing to die for Jesus, but also to be willing to live for him!
The prophecy comes true within this same chapter.
In order to show that he still honors the Jewish laws, Paul, under the advice of the leaders of the church of Jerusalem, goes to the Temple for a rite of purification. He takes four Jewish Christians with him who are going through the same ritual and he pays for them as well. All of this is intended to be a statement: “Look, Paul is following the law and customs of Moses!”
However, there were certain Jews there that day from the province of Asia who recognized Paul, and they made an outcry and accused him of bringing non-Jewish people into the Temple to defile it. There aren’t many accusations which would be more offensive, and the people begin to riot and to seek to stone Paul – much as they did when a younger Paul, still going by the name Saul, watched the coats of the men who stoned Stephen. This time, however a Roman officer was nearby, and with his cohort he came and took Paul from them. God was not done with Paul yet, and even this occasion would become an opportunity to share the Gospel, as we will read tomorrow.
One other thing to note here is the power of speaking someone else’s language. Paul speaks to the officer in Greek, and then addresses the crowd in Hebrew . . . and they listen. As we follow Jesus through this world, we should always keep the end in mind. We will die and go home to be with Jesus. In the mean time we go where God sends us. He is Lord, we are servants. As we seek to share the Gospel in languages that people can understand they will listen, and believe.
Father in Heaven, give me boldness by your Holy Spirit so that I might follow where you lead me. Help me to see You as Lord of my life and to obey Your will for me. Let me share the Good News of Your Salvation with many so that that the name of Jesus will be glorified and countless people will receive forgiveness through faith in Him. Amen.
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