Bible Reading: Acts 21
Acts 21:13-14 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
As Paul traveled to Jerusalem, believers warned him of what awaited him. He was going to be bound. He was going to be arrested and delivered into the hands of the Romans. However, Paul would not be swayed from his course. He finally had to tell them to stop weeping and breaking his heart. Not only was he ready and willing to walk into a trap, but he was willing to die for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why would Paul not listen to reason? Why was he so stubborn that he would not listen to their warnings? The answer is simply – Paul did not belong to himself. Paul was not operating from a self-preservation mindset. He was following Jesus into the harvest. Not only that, but Paul knew that his would not be an easy journey. Jesus had told him:
Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Paul knew he would suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. This was a part of his initial calling. He was ready. His life was offered as a living sacrifice to Jesus (Romans 12:1). There was nothing he would not do if led there by Jesus. He fully understood his mission.
This is often missing in the life of modern disciples. How easily we are swayed with the warnings and concerns of friends and family from the course that is being set for us by Jesus. Jesus never promised us an easy road. As a matter of fact, he promised us suffering:
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But remember, it is worth it to serve Jesus!
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The reward in heaven is what we look forward to, not the so-called security that comes from avoiding trouble here and now. Remember, Jesus said we would have tribulation:
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
In Christ,
Rody
