I have always loved hearing stories, sayings and proverbs from various African, Chinese and Japanese traditions. Then I must admit that translating Greek words from their Hellenist origin and meaning into English is equally enjoyable, especially as it helps one understand the Scriptures and intent of God better. (This is true with the Hebrew of the Old Testament as well. Think of the Book of Proverbs and the Prophetic Writings.) We ended off yesterday looking at:
Ac 21:10 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 Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
The imagery is undeniably that Paul would be arrested and imprisoned in Jerusalem. The symbolism depicts that of an Old Testament prophet. Having said this, we need to understand that all of the Bible is prophetic! It is God’s Word to us and we will be wise to give an attentive ear to what is says. Just as the prophet Agabus warned Paul of impending persecution and arrest, so the Bible warns God’s people that our pathway to eternal glory shall be lined with hardship and trial. Earlier in Acts, Luke reports that:
Ac 14:21 Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
For us as believers in the Twenty-First Century, things like being arrested for our faith, imprisoned for lengthy periods of time, beatings and the like might not be realized as in Paul’s day and as it is in countries where Christianity is banned … yet we face hardships and sufferings all the same. In Western Democracy, more and more Christianity is sidelined to where, although there is freedom of speech, speaking about Jesus is not appreciated or is seen as infringing on people’s rights. You have freedom of speech as long as it’s not about the Bible, Christianity or Jesus. You might suffer for this in the years that lie ahead. But then we read of what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to the Church at Rome:
Ro 5:2 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
1) The Lord’s will be done. These words from the Bible can become a clique to many of us. We all tend to say it from time to time, but what do we really mean? Are we saying we shall submit to the Lord’s will or are we just using it as Christian jargon? Let’s see what we are able to gather from this passage:
Ac 21:12 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.”
(1) Observe that Luke uses “we” twice in this first sentence. This means it was not only the Agabus warning. It included the missionary team as well as the believers at Caesarea. The Church present pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem. The word “pleaded” as used here means “to beg, entreat or beseech”. Concern and love for their apostle was such that as a community they tried their best to avert the danger waiting for Paul in Jerusalem. Naturally they would have heard Paul saying this was God’s will … yet at the same time their human feelings felt he was wrong. How could he be right if he was in danger of being put to death as he himself had witnessed Stephen being put to death? Throughout the years of foreign mission, loved ones and friends have pleaded with men and women not to venture into an unknown, dangerous world. Yet, some faced with the knowledge of cannibalism, aggression and horrendous deeds perpetrated against them, still went and served the Lord never to be seen by their love ones again.
(2) Paul’s immediate response is almost humorous. “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? The thought goes like this … “What do you think you are doing? Are you trying to aggravate my present sufferings? You know I have an unalterable resolution.” Once God has convince you to do something for Him and people come trying to dissuade you, it can be difficult. I remember my dad not being supportive of me leaving my employment and selling our house to pay for my theological studies. He was thinking of my wife and two sons. His question was … “How on earth would you as a family be cared for?” Naturally it was hard for me, but I knew there was no way on earth we would be cared for, though there was a heavenly way. Sadly many of us forget this aspect when others step out in faith to serve God.
(3) Paul’s determination. Such a conviction only comes when one is totally convinced the Holy Spirit requires one to do a specific thing. He says … I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. He is saying that he is not only ready to be arrested, but to die. To die for what? This is crucial … for the name of the Lord Jesus.When one reads his letters we find his lives for Jesus, His Cause and Kingdom. He says:
Phil 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Consider a few thoughts here …
(i) Life for a believer means serving Jesus and if dying for His Cause is part of the service, then that is the greatest honor. Paul understood this. Life in the Kingdom of God is radical compared to living in the kingdom of this world and gathering its offerings.
(ii) Life on earth is preparation for heaven. It might be a long life for some believers and it could be a short life for others. This reminds us that we don’t really have much time to serve the Lord and need to give our all whilst the light shines. Then, should the homeward call come earlier than expected, you shall be ready.
(iii) It’s all about the name. The “name of the Lord Jesus” encompasses everything about the Triune God … His Attributes, Kingdom, Gospel, Reign … our salvation, justification, redemption and adoption into His Kingdom to live under His Reign. Paul lived Kingdom and Kingdom means Reign and Reign means Jesus! This is the reason his life belonged to Jesus and if death awaited him in Jerusalem, then it was within God’s will it be so. The Kingdom advances God’s way. His purposes might not be as we expect … but all service within the Kingdom, however it pans out is advancing His Kingdom. Always keep this in mind when you face hardship, suffering or persecution because of the Name of Jesus.
2) The Lord’s will done.
Ac 21:14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” 15 After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.
There is speculation as the whether they traveled to Mnason’s house in Caesarea or Jerusalem. The structure of the Greek in verse 15 to 17 is not conclusive. It does not matter. Paul arrives in Jerusalem where God wanted him.
Our Father, thank You for our great salvation. Help us to love the Name that is above all names. May we thrill in our union with You our God and might we serve You faithfully all the way to glory. Amen.