Paul’s Trip to Jerusalem
Paul has concluded his third missionary journey. We bear witness to his trip to Jerusalem. He goes, even though he KNOWS danger awaits.
Paul had just recently learned, through the Spirit, that he will be taken prisoner when he reaches Jerusalem. He shared this with the leaders of the church of Ephesus. This is why he bid them a final farewell. But he ‘sets his face towards Jerusalem’ just the same. Just as Jesus did. Let’s rejoin Paul as he resolutely moves to the place God has ordained for him.
Holy Spirit, help me see Paul’s heart as he makes his way back to Jerusalem and into the heart of danger. Show me what You want me to see. Open my eyes to see Your story.
♥ ♦ ♥
The leaders of the church of Ephesus fade into the background as Paul and Luke sail towards home. There are several stops still ahead. Paul breathes a sigh as he turns to face forward in the ship.
“I’m going Lord. I don’t know how You have it all planned out, but I’m committed to following Your will. I know that I never walk alone. As long as You walk with me, I can bear whatever awaits.”
Paul has shared a little of what lies ahead with Luke. Hard as he tries, Luke cannot talk Paul into changing his plans.
“We could send word ahead to the believers in Jerusalem to meet us at Caesarea” suggests Luke.
“No. We are going to Jerusalem.”
“But why brother?”
“Because that is what the Lord has called me to do. Just as He called our Savior to the cross, He is calling me to prison.”
“For how long? Where will they take you? Will you die in prison?…”
“I have none of those answers. I will walk the path the Lord has for me, whatever the cost or the journey.”
Luke stops arguing. He knows Paul’s heart is locked in step with the Lords. Besides, who is he to question the ways of the Lord.
The ship docks at Patara. Paul and Luke go in search of another ship. One that will take them to the shores of Phoenicia. It isn’t hard to locate one in this sea port. They want a direct route though so it takes a little discernment to locate the right ship.
“Are you sailing straight to Phoenicia”, Paul asks the captain. “We especially want to reach the sea port of Caesarea.”
“We will be setting sail in the morning. Our route takes us to Tyre first, where we will have to unload cargo. Then we will make our way down the coastline to Caesarea.”
“That sounds agreeable. Can we book passage?”
“My fee is one denarius per day, each. This covers food and fare.”
Paul and Luke agree to the price. The captain estimates that their trip will take five days. Paul hands the captain coins for both him and Luke.
When morning comes they are shown on board. They stow their gear and return to help the sailors in any way they can. They are quickly enlisted to haul and coil rope.
“I never knew rope weighed so much” Luke exclaims.
“It does on a ship. It has to be strong enough to withstand any storm” comments Paul. This is not his first time helping with this task. He wonders how many more voyages he will make in his lifetime. “I’m bound for Rome at some point” he tells himself. “I wonder what that voyage will be like. Will I be able to watch from the deck? Will I be chained in the hold?”
Paul shakes his head and gets back to work. No use wondering about the future. God has it all in His hands.
The two of them remain on deck as much of the voyage as possible. It keeps sea sickness at a manageable level. Paul and Luke are on watch from the port side as they sail past Cyprus.
“I remember the day Barnabas and I first landed on Cyprus. We won’t be able to see our first port from here, but that was the beginning of so many things. So many works for the Lord.”
Luke listens as Paul reminisces about the past for a little while. He is a quiet shoulder to lean into and Paul is grateful for his company.
After five days at sea, they land at Tyre. The captain sees them to the dock.
“We appreciate you help along the way. We will be here in port for a two days. We have to unload supplies and take on more. You are more than welcome to rejoin us for the rest of the journey.”
“Actually,” Paul says, “I want to stay here a little longer and meet up with churches here. Is there anyone you can recommend to sail with in about a week?”
“My partner should be making land near that time. Look for Amos. Tell him that I sent you and he will give you a good fare.”
Before they part company the captain hands Luke four coins. “For all the work you two did while onboard.”
“Thank you. It was our pleasure” Luke says as he puts the coins in his purse.
As Luke and Paul turn away, Luke comments; “That was unexpected.”
“It was, but it is most welcome. We can add that to the gift for the saints.”
The two go in search of the believers in the area.
“Where do you suppose we will find them” asks Luke.
“Let’s go to the synagogue and ask there. They will know how to locate them.”
“Do you want to speak in the synagogue?”
“Not this time. I just want to spend time with the believers.”
The synagogue knows exactly where to find the Christians. They reluctantly give Paul and Luke their location.
“Those people should be cast out of the city” the leader of the synagogue comments to Paul’s back.
“Ignore him. Let the Lord take up their cause” Paul says to Luke as they walk away.
Within five minutes, Paul and Luke are standing on the doorstep of one of the house churches of Tyre. Paul knocks loudly on the door. It is quickly opened and happy faces greet the two travelers.
Paul has never preached in Tyre, but he is recognized the moment the door opens.
“Brother Paul, please come in. We have been expecting you.”
Paul looks at Luke with a puzzled expression. Luke shrugs his shoulders. Neither sent word ahead that they were coming.
The man holding the door laughs. “The Lord told us you would be coming, and how to recognize you.”
Paul does an exaggerated nod. “That explains it then.”
The two men enter the home to find a meal waiting for them on the table. It is as though the people were waiting for this very moment to come. Paul and Luke are more than grateful, as they ate little on the ship. Sea sickness wouldn’t allow it.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I can see Christ in you.”
“That is our aim every day. So, how long will you be with us, and how can we accommodate you?”
“We are hoping to spend the week with you. To rest and share fellowship before continuing our journey to Jerusalem.”
“Are you going by land or by sea? We will be happy to send men to accompany you if you travel overland. Bandits have been raiding this area heavily. It’s not safe to travel unescorted.”
“We planned to go by sea, but your warning is much appreciated” replies Luke.
Paul spends a week encouraging the believers. What was supposed to be a restful time is turned into another ministry opportunity. But the believers have something important to impress upon Paul too.
“Paul, do NOT go to Jerusalem. It isn’t safe for you there. The Spirit has shown me that you will be in danger if you go.”
This message is delivered several times during Paul and Luke’s visit, with no more success at turning Paul away than Luke experienced.
“The Lord has shown me that there is danger and imprisonment ahead. But this is where He had called me to walk. I will NOT turn away because the road is hard. It won’t be my first time in prison either” Paul says with a chuckle.
The shocked looks have Paul relating the story of him and Silas in Philippi. “The doors swung open and the chains fell off. No one moved a muscle as they were enjoying our singing praises to the Lord.” Paul shakes his head. “If not for calling out to the jailer, he would have taken his life that day. Instead, he placed it in the hands of the Lord. He became a believer.”
Many send praise throughout the room with the telling of the story.
At the end of seven days, Paul and Luke make their way back to the dock. The whole church turns out to accompany them. Men, women, and children all gather around him. Once Luke locate the ship they will sail on, everyone gathers together on the shore. They place Paul and Luke in the center. Everyone kneels down and the whole group prays over Paul.
“Lord, hold him in the palm of Your hand. Lead him where You have planned for him to go. Show him favor to those who will have charge over his life. We KNOW that NO ONE can snatch him from You. Use him as Your instrument, wherever he goes. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray; Amen.”
Paul and Luke hug all those around them before boarding their ship. As the journey involves going along the coastline, the ship stops each night in a different port. The first night, they stop in Ptolemais.
Word made it ahead of them from Tyre that they were coming. One of the brothers met them at the dock.
“Welcome brothers. Join us for the night.”
Paul and Luke are happy to spend the night with the believers. They talk long into the evening and are taken back down to the dock first thing the next morning. Next stop Caesarea.
In Caesarea, Paul and Luke go straight to the home of Philip. He is one of the disciples in this area. They are welcomed warmly and invited to stay for some time.
“I want to arrive in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost” Paul tells Philip.
“Then you have two weeks before you need to leave. Stay with us please, and minister to the people. And let us minister to you.”
Paul and Luke settle in, spending their days talking with the believers and encouraging them in the word. Philip has four unmarried daughters who see to the household. They also prophecy for the Lord. Daily, they tell Paul of the what lies ahead. They do not discourage him in the least.
On the day before Paul and Luke are to set off for Jerusalem, Agabus a prophet from Judea, comes to the home of Philip. He walks over to Paul and takes his belt from around his waist. Agabus bends down and wraps Paul’s belt around his ankles and wrists. After doing this, he proclaims in a loud voice for all to hear; “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles’” (Acts 21:11).
All the believers in the room begin clamoring for Paul to stay and not go to Jerusalem. Paul shakes his head vehemently.
“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
Agabus returns Paul’s belt and sits down with the rest of the people. Paul continues to encourage them in the Lord until the moment he leaves for Jerusalem.
“Pray for me as I step into the Lord’s will. I covet your daily prayers like never before” Paul says to the people as he leaves the home of Philip.
“You are not going alone brother. We are going with you. We will see you safely to Jerusalem, and beyond if need be.”
Ten of the men who had been sitting at Paul’s feet during his stay step forward. They are determined to care for Paul as long as possible.
“I welcome your company” Paul says with a nod of his head.
The group travels with many others who are going to Jerusalem for the feast. When they reach the city, the men of Caesarea take it from there. They lead Paul and Luke to the home of Mnason of Cyprus. He is one of the earliest believers. He heard Peter preach on that first Pentecost.
“Welcome brothers. Your are all safe here.” Mnason looks at Paul and smiles. “You are safe as well.”
Mnason leads the group into the house and bids them all to sit. “We knew to be expecting you, brother Paul. We have tried to keep it quiet, but you know how that goes.”
Paul smiles. “I do indeed.”
“The elders are expecting a visit from you, when you are ready.”
“I will wait until tomorrow to see them. I want to rest tonight, if that is acceptable to you.”
“It most certainly is” Mnason replies.
Paul sleeps the best he has in weeks this night. It is as if the Lord has given him a special measure of rest and peace for what lies ahead.
Paul, Luke, Mnason, and a few of the believers from Caesarea go together to the home of James. This is where the elders usually meet as one.
“Welcome brothers” James exclaims as the men stand on his doorstep. “We have been expecting you. Please come in.”
Paul is glad to see that all the elders are already gathered together. He doesn’t have to wait while they are called. He is excited to share the stories of his journeys.
After being welcomed by each of the elders, Paul is given their undivided attention. Before going into his story, he presents the gifts from the churches for the believers in Jerusalem. “The churches have all contributed to the saints of their own free will.”
“Thank you brother. We will put this to good use.”
It’s time to share all that has happened now. Paul begins from the first stop along the way on his third missionary journey. He retells one by one all the works of the Spirit and the health of the churches. He even includes his struggles with the church in Corinth. Everyone is pleased to hear that things settled down.
During Paul’s story, praises go up around the room. When he comes to the end, the whole room breaks out in praises to God. It is wonderful to feel the presence of God during that time. After things settle back down, they have something to tell him.
“You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 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. What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality” (Acts 21:20-25).
Paul nods. “This is a wise plan. I have to tell you though, that I know imprisonment lies before me. The Lord has shown me this Himself many times now.”
“Then leave the city!”
“I cannot. I will not! I will walk the road the Lord has laid out before me.”
They all understand Paul’s determination. Many of them saw it in Jesus Himself.
Paul and the four men appointed to him make their way to the Temple the next morning. They begin the ritual of purification by shaving their heads. They are safe within the ritual for a full week. No one will dare touch them during this time.
(to be continued)
Paul marches straight into danger. He refuses to be scared away, no matter what his flesh may want. I have never had to face the fear of imprisonment for my faith, but I have faced uncertainty. God is just as faithful with us as He was with Paul during this event.
I have SO MANY stories I could tell you of how God stepped in just in time. From simple things like a ‘good’ parking spot, to favor with car repairs, to blessings with housing. God cares for His people. He DOES NOOT smooth out all the bumps and potholes in our path. But He DOES walk with us right through them.
Praise You Father God that You are ALWAYS with me, no matter what comes. I can hold tightly to Your hand in any storm. Better yet, YOU hold tightly to my hand in those times. Mine might slip or I may get distracted, but You NEVER DO. Of this I am absolutely certain. And, THAT is why I can face each tomorrow. I am in YOUR hands, no matter what.
