Acts 21:13

[Paul] said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only

to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”

There was no stopping Paul. He was absolutely determined to go to Jerusalem and no

one was able to stand in his way. That’s not to say that they didn’t try! When he

arrived in Tyre in Syria, he spent a week with the believers there and they prophesied

through the Holy Spirit that he shouldn’t go to Jerusalem (v4). Some days later he

went down the coast to the important city of Caesarea where he met a man named

Agabus who had the gift of prophecy. He dramatically took hold of Paul’s belt and

bound his own feet and hands with it, and then declared that the owner of the belt

would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and then turned over to the Gentiles. Upon

hearing this, everyone begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem (vv10–12). But he

wouldn’t be stopped. He announced that he was ready to be jailed and even to die

for the sake of his Lord.

If risk assessments had existed in Paul’s day, he would undoubtedly have been told

that it was much too risky to head to Jerusalem. But Paul’s mind was made up and off

he went, believing that he was acting in obedience to the Lord. We all face risks in life

and this incident emphasises that there is something far more important than risk –

being obedient to Christ. I have known many Christians take huge risks because of

their faith. Some have gone to work in countries where the health care was very

poor. Others have moved their families into rougher areas because of their

determination to share the good news with those communities. I am convinced that

we should always live responsibly and be aware of potential risks. But Paul reminds

us that obeying the Lord is what really matters, however risky it might be.

Question

What risks have you taken in your Christian life?

Prayer

Lord God, help me to be willing to be obedient to you, whatever the cost. Amen