What If?

Acts 21:1-17 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; ² and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. ⁵ When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. ⁶ Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

⁷ When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. ⁸ On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. ⁹ Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. ¹⁰ As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” ¹² When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

¹⁵ After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge. ¹⁷ After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

Paul remained focused on his mission, on walking and working in the will of God. In today’s text it says:       a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”   There were many times that Paul was advised to avoid people and place for the sake of his safety. But first and foremost Paul relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While the prophet said “this is what the Holy Spirit says”, Paul listened to the voice of the Spirit within. When Paul had his encounter with Jesus, the Lord said:     “I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  Paul knew that there was a cost for serving and following Jesus. But for him the price he would pay was nothing compared to the price Jesus paid. He said:   “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Jesus too, knew what His fate would be. He knew that His human life would end on the cross. When He was arrested in the garden rather than avoid what was to come, He said:  “do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” (Matthew 26:53-54)    What if Jesus had stepped away from His purpose for the sake of His own life? What if He had decided the cost was too much?  We see the darkness that is in the world today;  What if what it says in John 1:5: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it, was not true?   Where would we be if Jesus had listened to the voices and the advice of those who tried to persuade Him to avoid His destiny rather than complete it?

 Like Jesus, Paul was committed to the will and the purpose of God. Today’s text stops short of telling what would eventually happen to Paul. Because of Paul’s commitment to follow the will of God, it says: And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”… After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.      Looking back, we know now that it was not Paul’s time to die for the sake of the name of Jesus at that time, though that day would come. Still what was in store for Paul was no easy road. He would be arrested and basically live out the rest of his life as a prisoner.  Paul lived his life in the promise of what Jesus says: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. (Matthew 11:29) He had the confidence of the psalmist who says: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me…(Psalm 23) Paul didn’t stop serving the Lord when he was imprisoned, rather he continued and the letters of instruction and encouragement which he wrote to the churches and to Timothy, his protégé, make up a large part of the New Testament of our Bible. The work and ministry which Paul continued as he followed the will of God has continued to impact the world for nearly 2000 years. What if Paul had not followed the voice of the Spirit inside him?      What if he had listened to the advice of his well meaning friends and fellow believers?       How might the world be different, who would not have heard the gospel, if Paul had not followed and walked in the will and purpose of God?

It is important that each one of us personally know the voice of God and His purpose for our life.  In 1 Kings 19:10-13 there is an account of the time Elijah, in fear, ran from the will and purpose of God, then he has an encounter with God.  It says:      behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”    There are many voices in the world, some of them loud and some seeming to have great authority, but we, like Elijah, need to listen for the voice of God, to hear what He says about or situation, our circumstance and most importantly about His will and purpose.

Each of us today should ask ourselves the questions; What if I don’t follow the will and purpose of God today? What if I, for the sake of my own life, to pursue my own interests follow my path rather than the one God has chosen? What if I listen to the voice and the advice of the world or even that of well meaning friends and fellow believers rather than the voice of God? Who might not hear the gospel message, how might things change if I choose not to follow God’s plan today?

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ; Holy Spirit Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Whatever the cost I can never repay the price You paid for me. Speak and I will listen. Lead and I will follow. Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.