Scripture: And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Acts 21:1-16 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, arriving at the seaport of Miletus, Paul summoned the elders of the Ephesian church. Upon their arrival, Paul shared his parting thoughts of encouragement and exhortation, and all prayed and tearfully said goodbye. In particular, Paul emphasized that he does not fear for his life but is only concerned with finishing his mission: to testify to the “gospel of the grace of God.” As such, he parts company with a clear conscience, confident he proclaimed “the whole counsel of God” to them. And they must do likewise with their flock, being vigilant of fierce wolves who will infiltrate their fellowship, devouring truth with clever lies. So Paul commends the leadership to God, whose words of grace will encourage and sanctify them. Then, with a final appeal, Paul reminds them that he provided for himself through hard work so that he might experience the blessings the Lord promises to those who focus on giving rather than receiving.
Today’s reading tracks the final leg of the team’s third mission: Miletus to Jerusalem. Luke again provides details of ports of call: Bos, Rhodes, Patara, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea. At Tyre, Luke notes, their hosts, led by the Spirit, cautioned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Then, while staying at Philip’s house in Caesarea (Philip being one of the seven appointed deacons; see Acts 6:5), the prophet Agabus arrives from Jerusalem, takes Paul’s belt, symbolically binds his own hands and feet with it, and pronounces (according to the Holy Spirit) that Jerusalem Jews will bind Paul in this manner and hand him over to the Gentiles. Distressed, the team tearfully begs Paul not to continue the journey to Jerusalem. But Paul pleads for them to stop breaking his heart, for he is willing to face imprisonment and death to uphold the name of Jesus. Seeing Paul could not be dissuaded, the team affirms his decision, declaring, “Let the will of the Lord be done” (v.14). So Paul’s team and some of the Caesarean disciples escort Paul to Jerusalem, where they lodge at the house of the Cyprian Mnason (one of the longstanding disciples of the Jerusalem church).
Takeaway: Luke’s comment in verse 4 (that the disciples at Tyre spoke through the Spirit) may indicate that Paul disobeyed the Spirit’s direction. Still, the Greek here may imply that these disciples advised Paul based on what they foresaw by the Spirit (i.e., they added their concerns for Paul’s well-being to the Spirit’s revelation). Given that the Spirit earlier impressed on Paul that he would go to Jerusalem, testify to the Gospel, and face imprisonment and affliction in every city from then on (Acts 20:22-23), the latter scenario is more likely. Indeed, as the rest of Acts reveals, Paul correctly discerned his fate.
But this is not the end of the matter. The prophet Agabus speaks on behalf of the Holy Spirit (no ambiguity in this case), warning Paul that the Jerusalem Jews will bind Paul and hand him over to the Gentiles (v.11). But Agabus does not instruct Paul to stay away from Jerusalem. Moreover, Paul adamantly declares he is ready to face suffering and death to uphold the name of his Lord. Indeed, the Lord revealed to Paul after his conversion that he would suffer much for his Lord’s name (Act 9:16), which these past ten chapters of Acts reveal.
Our takeaway? I wonder how I would handle a revelation from God that reveals future suffering. While I desire to uphold the name of the Lord, I am not in the headspace of Paul, where I am eager to proclaim the Gospel and face imprisonment and death. Still, if the Lord were to reveal to me a similar future, and I indeed discerned this came from the Lord and not through others who claim to speak on behalf of the Holy Spirit, I would expect Jesus to overwhelm me with an awareness of his presence marked by supernatural peace that arrests my fears and quiets my soul. That said, all of us will face death, and while a few may pass from this life to eternity in a peaceful sleep, all of us will endure the pains of aging and or disease leading to our mortal end.
So what’s the point of this macabre existential reflection? (Haha!) Let’s get on with life, trusting that Christ’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) to make the most of it. And one last cautionary point from our passage: Let’s refrain from imposing our fears and concerns onto the visions and messages we receive from the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we might impede the Holy Spirit’s work in us and others to uphold Jesus’ glorious name.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who resisted Peter’s insistence that he not face suffering and crucifixion (Matthew 16:22-23) and instead stayed on course to deliver us from the penalty of death for our sins. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who is transforming us from worldly thinking to know your good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2). Still, we confess that we are prone to operate from a place of fear, whether guiding ourselves or others. So would you please help us to grow in our love and affection for you and your Son so that we might rise above our fears and follow your Holy Spirit’s lead to uphold your Son’s Glorious name? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling