Week 5, Day 4

Today’s Reading:  Acts 23-24

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

Watching the character of Paul develop after his conversion is very interesting.  We are able to witness his tribulations and trials through the writing of the inspired writers.  By the time we reach chapter 21, we are able to see the maturity of Paul in the face of dying as a martyr.  Of course, he has already gone through at least one near fatal attack, which showed that he was indeed ready to die for the cause of Christ.  But, in chapter 21, what we see is a difference between Paul and the other Christians.  I believe it shows a difference between his maturity as a Christian, and their maturity.  Paul’s actions/reactions in this chapter helped the other Christians to make strides toward reaching the same level of maturity that he was at.

In verses 10-14, Paul was told by the prophet Agabus that he was going to be bound by the Jews when he returned to Jerusalem.  Those who were with Paul, who heard this prophecy, began to weep, and beg Paul to change his plans, avoiding Jerusalem.  Paul, as we have seen over the last couple of chapters, is trying to get to Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost.  Most likely, he was trying to get to Jerusalem while there would be a lot of people in the city, giving him even greater opportunities to preach.  He was determined that he was not going to change that plan.  He told his companions in verse 13 of our text that he was ready to go and be bound, and yes, even to die in Jerusalem if that is what was required of him.

Finally, in verse 14, we see that the group of friends come to Paul’s understanding.  They stopped trying to argue with him, they stopped trying to change his mind.  Instead, they adopted his attitude:  It was now in the hands of the Lord.  Whatever His will for Paul was would come to pass.

This portrays a great attitude.  Whatever God wills, that will be done.  We must continue to do what we know the word of Lord teaches, and then be prepared for whatever consequences might come.  That doesn’t mean that the things we face will always be easy.  But, that doesn’t matter, because there is a greater goal that we are looking forward to, beyond anything that we might face in the here and now.  And, through his strength, Paul was able to bring the rest of the disciples to the same point of acceptance that he had already reached.

One final point on this account.  Notice that Paul was warned beforehand that he would be persecuted in Jerusalem.  This gave him plenty of time to avoid that persecution–he could have easily gone somewhere else, and avoided Jerusalem all together.  However, he knew that he was supposed to go to Jerusalem, and he knew there was work for him to accomplish there.  Even if he were going to be arrested, he knew there would be work for him.  He did not shirk that responsibility.  Make sure to watch over the next few chapters how Paul was used by the Lord even though he was in chains.  He had opportunities to teach people after he was arrested that he never would have come in contact with other wise.  This is yet another great lesson for us!  We try to pick the best circumstances for us to have opportunities in, but the Lord does not always provide those opportunities in the circumstances that are good for us!

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