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.”
Acts 21:13 (ESV)
At the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, he had taken up an offering from some of the churches he had established. This offering was intended to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. But as he traveled to Jerusalem to deliver the gift, he was warned several times of the danger awaiting him there. And this passage is an example of his response.
While he was resting for a few days in Caesarea, a prophet came from Jerusalem and foretold that the Jews would bind Paul and deliver him over to the Romans. In response, Paul’s traveling companions and the believers in Caesarea urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
Given the warning from the Holy Spirit about the danger, we might think Paul was foolish to go anyway. Why march into certain danger and potential death? But Paul was committed to going, despite what he knew would happen to him there.
Nothing would stop Paul from doing what he was convinced Jesus had called him to do. Not the appeals of other people. Not the prospect of suffering or imprisonment. And not even death. He was going to follow Jesus wherever it took him. He was quite willing to die for the Lord Jesus.
What was it that led Paul to such a commitment? Paul was convinced that his suffering would only lead to a greater eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:17). And he was confident that Christ would guard him and ultimately bring him into glory (2 Tim. 1:12).
I am challenged each time I read this passage, and others like it. How would I respond if I found myself in a similar situation? Would I be faithful to my Lord regardless of the personal cost? I can only hope and pray that I would.
