“After we arrived in Jerusalem”

[Acts 21:15-26]

Do you all like to travel? If you do, how do you usually go about it? Perhaps, after choosing a place you want to visit, you'll need to consider dates, plan your schedule, decide whether to go by car or plane, and so on. There are various thoughts and preparations you'll have to make. However, these preparations, rather than being burdensome, are likely to be enjoyable for those who wish to embark on a journey. After joyfully preparing for the trip and heading towards the destination, it will also be delightful. There will be a sense of anticipation. Upon reaching the destination and thinking about the things you want to do and the plans you've made, you will eagerly await reaching your destination. When you arrive at your travel destination, how will you react? If you leave behind your home and workplace to take a rest and enjoy your time at the travel destination, it's likely that you'll feel happy. You might also be able to release the tension that accumulated in various aspects of your life, such as at home and work. However, if you arrive at the destination not to travel but for work, how would you react?

In today's main text, Acts 21:17, the Bible records the arrival of Paul and his companions in Jerusalem. When imagining Paul's feelings at that moment, I had a couple of thoughts:

Paul would have been thankful and joyful.

It is likely that Paul would have been thankful for God's guidance and protection, allowing him and his companions to reach Jerusalem to fulfill the Lord's will and preach the gospel. Having arrived in Jerusalem, he might have been joyful to be in a position where he could now fulfill the Lord's purpose.

Paul could not ignore the hardships that awaited him in Jerusalem, as the Holy Spirit had already revealed.

While Paul had prepared himself, even to the point of being ready to die for the mission, he might have still felt a mix of anticipation and concern upon arriving in Jerusalem. Although he wasn't necessarily consumed by fear, there could have been a blend of expectation and apprehension as he reached his destination.

Today, centered around the passage, "After we arrived in Jerusalem," I contemplate what might have occurred when Paul and his companions arrived in Jerusalem in three ways. Through this reflection, I seek to receive the grace and teachings that God provides to both me and you.

First, Paul and his companions were warmly received by the brothers in Jerusalem.

Look at Acts 21:17 - "When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly." Paul and his companions had completed their journey from Caesarea to Jerusalem (v. 15). Some disciples from Caesarea joined Paul's group and played the role of guiding them to Jerusalem (v. 16). The place where they were guided, and where they would stay, was the home of a early disciple named Mnason from Cyprus (Yoo). This Mnason, a faithful disciple of the Lord, willingly welcomed and hosted Paul and the representatives of the Gentile churches traveling with him, along with the believing brothers in Jerusalem (Yoo). This reminds me of the passage in John 12:12-16. When Jesus entered Jerusalem to fulfill His purpose of crucifixion, a large crowd, holding palm branches, came out to meet Him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" What a grand welcome it was! However, they did not welcome and receive Jesus as their Savior. Instead, they welcomed Him as the victorious King of Israel, expecting political liberation from Rome, economic prosperity, and social justice. Apostle John expressed this in John 1:11-12, stating, "He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." When Jesus came to His people, they did not receive Him as their Savior, but to those who did receive Him and believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

Have you received Jesus as your Savior? Do you believe in the truth that Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins, was declared righteous, and rose from the dead on the third day (Rom. 4:25)? We should not just consider Jesus as our king, like the Israelites did, expecting political liberation, economic prosperity, and social justice. We must receive Jesus as our Savior. Jesus is our Savior who delivers us from all sin and declares us righteous, giving us eternal life. I hope and pray that you receive Jesus as your Savior. When you do so, you can hold onto the promise He gave us: "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (Jn. 14:2-3). If you receive Jesus as your Savior, He will gladly welcome you, and He will ensure that you are with Him forever. By receiving Jesus as your Savior, you will enter the heavenly Jerusalem.

Second, Paul and his companions, along with the brothers in Jerusalem, including James and the elders, glorified God together.

Look at Acts 21:20 - "And when they heard it, they glorified God ...." Paul and his companions arrived in Jerusalem and the next day went to meet James, the leader of the Jerusalem church (v. 18). Coincidentally, all the elders of the Jerusalem church were gathered there (v. 18). After greeting them all, Paul spoke about the work God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry (v. 19). When they heard this, they glorified God together (v. 20). What a beautiful scene! Brothers and sisters in the Lord, gathered together in the Lord, hearing about the work God had done among the Gentiles through Paul, and glorifying God together. This was Paul's prayer. Look at Romans 15:5-6: "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul prayed that brothers and sisters, following the example of Jesus Christ, would be of one mind and one voice to glorify God the Father. We should also offer such prayers to our Heavenly Father. Therefore, the children of our God, having received Jesus Christ as their Savior, should gather together with one mind, one purpose, and one voice to glorify God the Father.

This is how the church of the Lord should be. In other words, the community of Jesus, the children of God who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior, gathered together with one mind, one purpose, and one voice to glorify God. Imagine, as we receive one another in Christ's love (Rom. 15:7), sharing with each other the things that God is doing in our lives, glorifying God together. This is the true image of the church and genuine fellowship within the Lord. Visualize saints welcoming each other as they truly are, while observing the work of God in each other's lives and growing more like Jesus. This is the true picture of the church. Let us all dream of such a church. Let us pray together for God's glory to be revealed through our church and that it becomes a place where God's glory shines.

Third and last, Paul received the advice of James and the elders in Jerusalem.

After glorifying God together, Paul, his companions, and the Jerusalem church leaders, including James and all the elders, changed the direction of their conversation (v. 20). The focal point of this conversation was Paul's safety. As we have already contemplated, the Holy Spirit had informed many, besides Paul, that if he were to go to Jerusalem, he would face bonds and afflictions. When Paul actually arrived in Jerusalem, the atmosphere was uneasy, as communicated to him by James and the elders of the Jerusalem church. They conveyed to Paul that in Jerusalem, there were thousands of Jewish Christians who were zealous for the law (v. 20b). These individuals had a significant and deep misunderstanding about Paul. The substantial misunderstanding revolved around Paul's teachings. Look at verse 21: "And they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs." The zealous Jewish Christians in Jerusalem had heard that Paul was instructing scattered Jewish communities among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, not to circumcise their children, and not to observe the customs (v. 21, Yoo). They had heard two things:

What Paul taught to the Jews in the Gentile regions was concerning forsaking the customs derived from Moses.

This alone was enough to provoke anger among Jews who were zealous for the Mosaic law. The reason was that forsaking the customs derived from Moses was considered a serious sin in their eyes.

The specific evidence that Paul taught a serious departure from the Law of Moses was his instruction not to circumcise children and not to follow the Jewish customs (Yoo).

However, this was a misunderstanding despite being unfounded rumors. Paul had never taught such a departure from the Law of Moses in the course of his missionary activities. Knowing this, James and the elders of the Jerusalem church requested Paul to quell these baseless rumors through his actions. They suggested a specific solution, namely, to accompany four men under a Nazirite vow to the temple, participate in a purification rite, and cover the expenses for their head shaving (Acts 21:23-24). By doing so, they believed that zealous Jewish Christians would realize that the rumors about Paul were false and that he himself lived in observance of the law. The four individuals under the Nazirite vow were identified as poor members of the Jerusalem church voluntarily consecrating themselves, practicing abstinence, and bearing the cost of their vow. The elders proposed this solution, convinced that it would demonstrate Paul's commitment to the law and dispel any false impressions about his teachings among zealous Jewish Christians. In summary, Paul accepted their counsel to exhibit a devout appearance according to the Law of Moses, not only to confirm that the rumors were baseless but also to show that he lived in accordance with the law. The four individuals under the Nazirite vow were identified as poor members of the Jerusalem church who were voluntarily consecrating themselves and bearing the cost of their vow.

The Nazirite vow was a voluntary dedication and a devout pledge. The person making this vow was required to abstain from wine for at least 30 days, avoid contact with dead bodies, refrain from cutting their hair, and live a consecrated life (Num. 6:4-8) (Yoo). Upon successfully completing the vow, the individual had to follow the regulations specified in the Mosaic law, including shaving their head and offering various sacrifices to God along with their hair (vv. 10-18). However, for the individuals from Naisl who took the Nazirite vow, the cost of providing the sacrificial offerings could have been burdensome [‘The cost for each person: two male lambs, one ewe lamb, and the offering and drink offerings’ (Yoo)]. As a result, James and the elders of the Jerusalem church advised Paul to bear the expenses. The reason for this suggestion can be found in Acts 21:24 - "...then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law." In the eyes of the Jews, contributing to cover the costs for the Nazirite vow of poor Naisl individuals was considered an extremely devout act (Yoo). Paul ultimately accepted James and the elders' counsel (Acts 21:26). Consequently, the next day, he took the four individuals under the Nazirite vow, participated in a purification rite, and notified the temple authorities of the completion of the vow and the date they would present their sacrifices (v. 26). Paul, for the sake of saving everyone, became a servant to all, making himself a slave to all people (1 Cor. 9:19). In order to save even one Jew, he became like a Jew to the Jews (v. 20). Certainly, in the context of today's passage, he accepted the counsel of James and the elders, ensuring that he would not be a stumbling block to even a Jewish brother (8:9).

The wise person heeds counsel. Proverbs 12:15 states, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." The foolish person does not listen to advice and despises it (1:7), but the wise person listens to counsel. Reflecting on the counsel given to Paul by James and the elders of the Jerusalem church in today's passage, I am reminded of the words in 1 Corinthians 8:9 - "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak." Paul desired not to be a stumbling block to his brothers in Christ in Jerusalem. Certainly, he aimed not to be a stumbling block to those Jewish Christians who were zealous for the law, but he also did not want to be a stumbling block to the Jerusalem church. Therefore, he heeded the counsel of the Jerusalem church leaders. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul did not want to be a stumbling block to both the Jewish Christians zealous for the law and the Jerusalem church. He desired to avoid causing offense in his ministry (2 Cor. 6:3). We must not be stumbling blocks that obscure the glory of God. Furthermore, we should not be stumbling blocks to the church. We should not be stumbling blocks to our fellow brothers and sisters who have become one in the Lord. Instead, we should be stepping stones. Additionally, we should be peacemakers. To achieve this, we must be willing to listen to the counsel of church leaders, just as Paul did, and strive to uphold the peace of the church community by following their counsel.

Paul's mission, which was the will of the Lord, led him to Jerusalem to undertake the ministry of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon reaching Jerusalem, Paul and his companions were welcomed by the brethren in faith. Together with James and the elders of the Jerusalem church, they glorified God. Paul, in his commitment to the zealous Jewish Christians adhering to the Mosaic Law, accepted the counsel of the Jerusalem church leaders, striving to dispel any misunderstandings among his Jewish brothers while ensuring that the Jerusalem church would not suffer harm.

Reflecting on this passage, firstly, we must accept Jesus as our Savior, and when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are promised that He will come again to receive us and make a dwelling place for us where He is.

We witness the true nature of the church community.

When the Apostle Paul shared the work of God through his ministry in the Gentile regions with the leaders of the Jerusalem church, they glorified God together. Thus, we learn that the true nature of the church involves believers coming together to share in the work of God and glorify Him.

We receive the lesson that a wise person listens to counsel and does not become a stumbling block to brothers and sisters.

We should strive to be stepping stones and peacemakers among our fellow believers.

Don’t want to be a stumbling block to brothers and sisters in the Lord,

James Kim

(Dreaming of a Christ-centered community)