Warning or Confirmation?

S - "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 … 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. … 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.”" (Acts 21:4-5, 8, 10-14 ESV)

O - Twice in these accounts the brothers and sisters warn Paul to not go on to Jerusalem. Their counsel is not only a logistical/human concern but one borne out of insight (revelation) given by the Holy Spirit. In two different settings with two different groups this will occur and each time Paul will not be dissuaded. Why would he wave this off? Why not accept their direction? Consider the following statements, one from Paul and the other from Jesus.

·       "And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20: 22-24 ESV)

·         "But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”" (Acts 9:13-16 ESV)

There is a difference between a warning and a confirmation. Though the information was the same, it appears the disciples thought they were giving a warning but according to Jesus' dialogue with Paul it was a confirmation. Some say Paul made a mistake in going. Jesus said differently. After his appearance before the Sanhedrin the Scriptures record: "The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11 ESV)

A - It was a matter of life and death … and according to Jesus I/we must lose our lives to find them; give them away to keep them. Such actions are not to be inspired by a cause or a worldview … only by a person. He said "“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26 ESV) These are the terms for all who will follow - everything. I accept the terms unto the life that is really life!

P - Lord who is life,

I accept the only terms you offer … I give up everything and you give everything. I am not tough. I am not able. I am willing and you are the enabler. I say yes to you … completely yes, forever yes come what may.

I love you back,

Steve