…we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having sought out the disciples…through the [Holy] Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:1-16
Paul departs Miletus by ship, having bid farewell to the Ephesian elders, and sails to the port of Tyre on the Mediterranean coast, the same Tyre and Sidon Jesus spoke of in His earthly ministry. Paul meets with some disciples of Christ there and stays 7 days in fellowship and hearing from them that he should not go to Jerusalem. The disciples and their families gather with Paul as he prepares to set sail again to Caesarea. They all pray for Paul to have safe travels and to be blessed by God during his stay in Jerusalem. In Caesarea, Paul stays with Philip, the evangelist, whom Luke tells us had four daughters “who prophesied.” While Paul was at Philip’s house, Agabus, a prophet from Judea, came to Philip’s house. Agabus took Paul’s “belt” from him and tied himself with it. Through this visual example, Agabus prophesied that Paul, in Jerusalem, would be bound and handed over to the Gentiles. At this those present in Philip’s house wept and begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Paul’s response was, “…For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Upon hearing Paul’s resolve to go to Jerusalem, the people said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” A few days later, Paul and some disciples from Caesarea depart for Jerusalem, planning to stay with an early disciple of Christ in Jerusalem named Mnason. Paul, like all the Apostles called by Christ, was wholly devoted to the Lord Jesus. He cared not for his personal safety for he believed that he was to do the will of God until God decides to bring Paul into heaven. Paul’s total commitment to his Savior and Lord Jesus sets the human example of the faith all Christians should exhibit. Our Heavenly example, though, is Christ Himself! No Christian, in this life, comes anywhere near Christ’s example and precious few Christians throughout the history of the world have approached the faith of Paul. Praise God that He gave Christians such great, strong examples to learn from and imitate. May all Christians pray to have their faith strengthened as they live their life for Christ until He calls us into His Presence or He returns in judgment and glory to gather us to Him! Source: S C Ball July 30, 2023
Leave a Reply