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Acts 21     English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul Goes to Jerusalem

¹ 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. ² And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ 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. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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 ⁶ and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

⁷ When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. ⁸ 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. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. ¹⁰ While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ 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.’”¹² When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ 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.” ¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

¹⁵ After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ 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.

REFLECTION:

• Believers in Caesarea pleaded Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but to no avail. So, they said, “The Lord’s will be done.”  How would this prayer “The Lord’s will be done” explain who’s really in control of your life?  Who’s in charge of your life now?  Is God in His rightful place in your life, or is there another “god” seated on that throne?
• On January 8, 1956, deep in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador, five missionaries were brutally murdered by a tribe of Stone Age Indians. The five young men sang this hymn “We Rest on Thee” as they went to their death, taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Auca Indians.
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.

Yes, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise;
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.

• The five missionaries and their families knew that God was in charge of their lives. Theirs is a life that lived out the prayer “The Lord’s will be done.”  After the murdering, the wives and other family members decided to stay to continue the missionary work left by their loved ones among these people.  A tragedy beyond comprehension, through love and forgiveness, has been transformed to an inspiring and moving story of victorious miracles.
• Here is their story told by the son of one of the missionaries, Steve Saint. “End of the Spear” www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma_RcBDlPZA

PRAYER:

Lord, may Your will be done! But how can I understand Your will? Sometimes I see dark clouds covering the blue sky, snow breaking the evergreen pines, the earth trembling, the sea raging, flocks unable to find their way, and animals losing their habitats. Is all of this Your will? I see families in conflict, friends betraying each other, and I feel the pain, sadness, fear, and despair in people’s hearts. Is all of this Your will too? Lord, I have asked You loudly before, but I did not receive an answer from You. It was not until after many years, as I became more mature and strong, that I heard Your gentle yet firm voice speaking to me, reassuring me that You have overcome the world. Yes, Lord, without suffering, where can there be joy? Without worries, where can there be peace? Without death, where can there be life? Lord, please strengthen me and help me not to forget that You have overcome the world. Comfort those who suffer innocently, be with those who bear witness for You and suffer, and bless those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for You have said they are blessed! Lord, may You govern my life, may You shape me, and may Your will be accomplished. Amen!

HYMN:

We Rest On Thee – youtu.be/h28qI0QKn8s