Finding Joy in Suffering for the Lord

Acts 21:1-25

Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem

1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. 6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.

7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 8 On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."

Paul Urged to Make Peace

15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality."

Paul found joy in suffering for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was traveling toward Jerusalem with the full knowledge that he would be bound and thrown into jail for practicing and preaching the gospel of the Messiah among the disbelieving Jews and idolaters among the nations.  The honor and glory of God meant surpassingly more than the opposition and mistreatment he endured as an ambassador of the Messiah Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:5, 1 Peter 4:12-13).  Luke recorded how they were warned about the consequences for Paul if he continued to head to Jerusalem for the Passover and how the disciples there prayed for them as the elders at Ephesus had done as they placed them in Gods hands of grace.  As they made stops in various harbors along the way, Paul heard the same warnings but continued on in a singleness of mind nd purpose with full knowledge of what he was walking into.  Do we shirk conflict and hardship for the gospel or face it for God’s glory?  May we follow the example of Paul.  When Paul reached Jerusalem and the head church there, he gave testimony to God’s grace to the nations who were added as the children of God to the chosen of Israel.  They glorified God for the fulfilled promise to Abraham and not to force them keeping the Law for salvation.  This is the gospel and the cost of discipleship through finding joy in suffering for the Lord that many may hear and some may be saved.