Acts 20:13-21:36
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To start our readings today, Paul gives a powerful farewell address to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Great stuff... Verses 36 & 37 do kind of bring a tear to the eye, no? - "When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They wept aloud as they embraced him in farewell, sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him down to the ship."
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Paul's Parting Words" is at this link.
Wow. Check out Paul's words in Acts 21 verse 13 after it was prophesied that he would be jailed in Jerusalem: "But Paul said, "Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! For I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus."" What about you? Are you ready to be jailed for your faith? Are you willing to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus? These are challenging questions to consider I realize. But, I think they are useful for us to ask. If we are not ready to be jailed for our faith or not willing to die for the sake of Jesus, are we truly following Jesus? Or are we just pretending?
Paul's arrival in Jerusalem wraps up his 3rd missionary journey. Below is a quick recap of this journey of Paul's we've been reading about the past couple of days:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Giving and Taking of Advice" is at this link.
– Wow… tough week for Paul in today’s readings. Scary how the readings end today – with the mob chanting “Kill Him! Kill Him!” Does this remind you of anyone else? Perhaps Paul’s Savior?
You might be asking why did Paul agree to take part in the Jewish purification ceremony in today’s readings? I think you’ll find the answer to this question in Paul’s own words from his first letter to the Corinthians, verses 19 through 23 – “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” How about you in your life today? Do you make yourself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible? Do you become all things to all people so that by all possible means you might save some? Below is an image of the Apostle Paul, by Rembrandt, from 1657:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Giving and Taking of Advice" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today's readings in Acts reminds me of this video by Jars of Clay for their song "Two Hands:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0h2sUC6wPg
Do you have two hands? Click here to meet the One who gave you your Hands!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "But 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.'" Acts 21:13 NLT
Prayer Point: Pray that you are willing to die for the sake of your Lord, Jesus. Pray that you are prepared to not only be jailed for your faith in Jesus, but to die for your faith in Jesus.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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