Check out all the previous Acts readings here.
Acts Reading Plan | Week 15 | Day 4
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times.
Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” As you come to spend time with Jesus, thank Him that He is trustworthy – he will never let you down!
Bible Reading: Acts 21:1-26
Read these verses three times slowly.
After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “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.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
Reflection & Questions
As Paul continues his journey toward Jerusalem, the people are very aware of the danger he will be in and plead for him not to go. A prophet even gives a physical illustration of how Paul will be bound. But Paul would not be dissuaded. He is set on it. He tells them, “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.”
Not only is he willing to be bound, but also die. What is the cause that he is so committed to? The name of Jesus. Jesus was worth everything to him. Jesus had saved him from sin and Paul knows he has eternity to live for. There was nothing in life he considered worth holding onto, or holding back, in the cause of Christ.
The famous missionary Jim Elliott echoed Paul’s determination in his life and words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
As we consider our lives, is the name of Jesus worth that to us? Will we hold back things from him? Or are we all in? Can we echo Paul by saying, “I am ready not only to ______, but also to ________.” (You fill in the blanks).
- Is there something you’re holding on to that Jesus is calling you to give up?
- What is the name of Jesus worth to you? How does that show up in your life?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
