ACTS: Regardless of the Circumstances, Keep Our Eyes on the Prize! "Deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me!"

Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them [the Ephesian elders] and set sail, running a straight course we came to Coos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 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. And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:1-4)

Paul was determined, ...for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 20:16)  But as determined as he was, people kept trying to stop him from going, even though he knew things were not going to go well for him there. "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me." (Acts 20:22-23)  Sometimes being obedient to God may put us very uncomfortable situations, and we may not be sure what the outcome will be, but it's always better to be obedient to God.

Jesus set this example for us, very similar to what Paul was going through. Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:51-56)

Christ Jesus mission was to save men's lives, and God the Father had determined that that would be accomplished through His death on the cross in Jerusalem.  Paul understood, based on Christ's example, that the most important thing we can do is lead others to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus, even if it may cost us our lives. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13)  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. When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home. (Acts 21:5-6)

And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 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 [Acts 6:1-7], and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. (Acts 21:7-9)  

The Holy Spirit of God didn't just pour out on the men, but women also.  From Moses' sister, Miriam to the time of the early church, God used men and women to prophecy, to proclaim what He would bring to pass.  “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days." (Joel 2:28-29)

And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 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.’” (Acts 21:10-11)

Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 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.” So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:12-14)

Yet again, Jesus had had a similar situation with the disciples.  From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26) Paul understood and accepted this completely.  He would say in a future letter, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

God willing, most of us won't have to look forward to being put to death for our faith in Christ Jesus, but what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  We have to believe, " I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)  

And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. 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.  And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. (Acts 21:15-17) While Paul was in Jerusalem during the next four years, he would write his epistles to churches in Corinth, Galatia, and Rome. The Apostle Luke would also write his gospel record during this time.