Acts 21, Part 1

A couple of points stand out in this passage in the first part of Acts 21:

• Paul stayed committed to his conviction that the Spirit was leading him to go back to Jerusalem, despite the prophesied imprisonment and hardships he would face as well, as the many well-meaning people around him who pleaded with him not to go.  When, even his closest traveling companions, like Luke, joined in, it affected Paul deeply, but he was still determined to follow God's Will for him:   "“Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”"  (Acts 21:13b)  Paul was so focused on what he was called to do because he knew from the beginning what he was to face and what he needed to do to complete his tasks. At Saul's conversion, "The Lord said to Ananias [of Paul], 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.'" (Acts 9:15-16).   So, in Acts 20:24, Paul said, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

•  When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he faced the contrasts of glory being given to God as he reported all that God had done through his ministry and missionary journeys; but also, of being judged and criticized based on false lies about his turning away from the Law.    Paul was willing to show them that he could still follow Jewish Law and tradition; and the Church leaders affirmed that this had no bearing on Gentiles, particularly salvation.

To me, this passage shows that there are times when we need to stand firm in our convictions, even when loved ones around us are telling us otherwise, no matter how well-meaning.    This is also a reminder that we need to be committed, even to the point of being willing to die for our faith; just as the Apostle Paul clearly was.

This passage also reminds us to always give glory to God; but, also that there may be people who will criticize and judge, even based on false lies.    We just need to keep walking in God's ways, and respond as lovingly as we can.