What Are You Willing to Die For?
Apostle Paul said many things on the return-leg to Jerusalem while on his Third Missionary Expedition. But his pronouncement that he was more than ready to die for the name of Jesus deserves attention.
At Caesarea, Apostle Paul made a moving and passionate statement to the Believers there.
He resolutely told the brethren, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
As I thought about this, questions were filling my mind. One of them, “What are you ready to die for?”
Another one is, “Are you prepared to die for anything?”
Many People are Ready to Die For Various Causes
Globally numerous people are ready to die for a plethora of causes, organizations, countries, people, beliefs, and more.
Many people are motivated to preserve the decreasing population of whales.
Similarly, many individuals from all over the globe are very concern about the chronic pollution of our seas and oceans.
And even more people are devoting much of their time and resources to reducing global warming and many more causes.
These Men Were Ready to Die For Their Passions
And some of these people have died for these causes. And many have died because of them. What are you ready to die for?
People like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey died for and because of their causes.
Mandela was extremely passionate about apartheid and he wanted to stop it. But, King, Malcolm, and Garvey fought for other civil rights and liberties.
However, you would be hard press to locate one person who is willing to die for a name. Yet, Apostle Paul was more than keen not to die for Jesus Christ, for he died for the world, but to die for his name.
However, before we get to that, let’s put everything on this return-leg of Paul’s Third Missionary journey into perspective.
This Simple Act of Luke Validates Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Paul and his traveling companions having extricated themselves from the weeping brethren and church leaders of Ephesus continued on their journey back to Jerusalem.
“And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara”, (Acts 21:1).
Note how meticulous Apostle Luke was in itemizing the ports that they stopped or passed. This detailed itinerary lends credibility to the phrase, “Paul’s Missionary Journey”. Indeed, this was an expedition and he was heading back to Jerusalem.
Therefore, Luke writes, “And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth” (Acts 21:2).
Using Luke’s details of the expedition, anyone could actually travel the route that Paul and his team followed.
Luke’s Details Are Very Important
“Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden” (Acts 21:3).
So too is the usefulness of the time they traveled, stayed, or travel from one port or place to another port or place. The total of this would yield the total time it took Paul and his colleagues on this third missionary journey.
“And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem” (Acts 21:4).
Was Paul Disobedient to the Holy Ghost?
The Holy Spirit warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Was he disobedient to the Lord in that he went?
Nevertheless, Paul was adamant and went to Jerusalem none the less.
As Christians, we should always keep in mind this fact, the Lord never forces us to do anything.
Like Paul, he informs us of what we need to do then He allows us to make our own decision concerning the same.
Paul knew why the Holy Spirit informed him not to visit Jerusalem, but he also knew why he had to go. As a result, he was ready to die for the name of Jesus.
Paul Was Arrested
If he goes, he would be arrested and eventually murdered, but if not, how could he live with himself?
Paul was not afraid to die for the name of Jesus Christ. He had come full circle. The name he had imprisoned or killed Christians for he was about to die for, Jesus.
Because he would have missed the entire purpose of his life and existence. He would miss the climax of his assignment!
“And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed” (Acts 21:5).
“And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again” (Acts 21:6).
“And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day” (Acts 21:7).
Philip the Evangelist and The Four Prophetesses
“And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him” (Acts 21:8).
It’s interesting that nowhere in the Old Testament (OT) we read of women being prophets.
However, here, in the New Testament (NT) Philip has four daughters who were practicing prophetess.
“And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy” (Acts 21:9).
This team of Believers must have been enjoying Philip’s entertaining for they stayed with him not one or two days but “many days”.
“And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus” (Acts 21:10).
Why Was Paul Ready to Die for the Name of Jesus?
First, the brethren above warned Paul via the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. Now, another man-of-God, Agabus, join the team and warned Paul of his future, should he choose to go up to Jerusalem.
“And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles” (Acts 21:11).
“And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem” (Acts 21:12).
“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? [F]or I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
Finally, why was Apostle Paul ready to die for the name, Jesus? It was the will of God.
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:16).
This is the will of God. And none of us can prevent it. Paul knew this and that’s why he was ready to die for the name of Jesus Christ.
