Ready to Die

Paul was heading toward Jerusalem knowing that “in every city the Holy Spirit warns me(him) that prison and hardships are facing me(him)” (20:23).  Even in Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus who came down from Judea prophesied  by tying his own hands and feet with Paul’s belt that “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles’” (v.11). Hearing that, the the author of the book of Acts Dr. Luke and the brethrens in that city “pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem” (v.12).  Paul’s reply: “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” (v.13).  Paul was determined to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel.  Look at what he said in Acts 21:24:  “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”.  Paul was the task-oriented man.  He wanted to complete the task that the Lord gave him – the task of proclaiming the gospel of God’s grace.  Paul had higher value system.  He valued the Lord’s given task more than his own life.  Seeing his determination, Dr. Luke and the brethrens in that city Caesarea gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done” (v.14).  “After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem” (v.15).