From Acts 20 onwards there is a pattern in the narrative that we should take note of. Throughout Paul’s journey back to Jerusalem there are predictions that persecution awaits him there. These predictions are made in the presence of gathered Christians in the various places. In each place the Christians plead with Paul, therefore, to not go to Jerusalem. But, in response, Paul only strengthens his resolve and goes anyway. The same sequence is repeated a number of times here. What is the point of this? God wanted to give Paul the opportunity to show his resolve in the face of inevitable persecution for those churches to see. For in a little while those churches would all face fierce persecution and God would require the same resolve from them. Most people, hearing of the possibility of such persecution, would have gone out of their way to avoid trouble. But Paul was there to show the Christians that we should not live to avoid hardship or rejection. If the path of God leads that way, through hardship, then that is where we must go trusting that nothing will thwart God’s purpose. Many people navigate through life by avoiding the things they don’t want to happen to them. This is a bad way to navigate. It will only get you lost. Navigate by God’s purpose and walk that path with resolve. The path may go through trouble and hardship but that doesn’t mean it’s the wrong way. People may reject you for your faith, but if you navigate always by people’s approval you will end up very lost.
Ask God to give you the strength of resolve to walk the path he has set out for you.
Read Acts 20:22-21:16 again
