"I Am Ready"

 

Chapter 21

In this chapter we follow Paul back to Jerusalem. It is a journey the reader might have some anxiety about, as danger is repeatedly foreshadowed. In fact, it grows to resemble, more and more, Jesus’ own journey toward Jerusalem and death.

In his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders in Chapter 20, Paul stated that he would not see them again. It was not just a hunch or a bad feeling about things; he spoke with certainty. Paul said, “I know that none of you … will ever see my face again” (20:25). He described himself in v. 22 as a “captive to the Spirit,” sent to Jerusalem, knowing that imprisonment and persecution awaited him there. This knowledge did not derive from human sources; it was from the Spirit.

Paul embarked on his journey, toward Jerusalem, making several stops along the way, finding hospitality from the Christians in every location. And they were clearly concerned about Paul’s journey. In Tyre, where he stayed seven days, the disciples there told him “through the Spirit” (v.4) that he should not go to Jerusalem. Later, he stayed in Caesarea at the house of Philip, who baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in Chapter 8.  While he was there, a prophet named Agabus came from Judea to tell him, in a dramatic way, that he would be arrested and handed over to the Gentiles in Jerusalem. He was urged not to go, but Paul assured them he was prepared for whatever would happen there. They responded, “The Lord’s will be done” (v.14).

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he was greeted warmly by the Church and taken to James and the elders. As he has done before, Paul relayed to them all that God has done among the Gentiles through his ministry. But the elders shared with Paul the concerns that they had been hearing: that Paul was teaching Jews to forsake the law of Moses. They urged Paul to participate in a Jewish rite of purification with a few other men. This was apparently the Nazirite vow, described first in the book of Numbers.

The Nazirite vow was a separation, or consecration, of oneself to God. It involved abstaining from strong drink and from the fruit of the vine in any form. It required avoiding any contact with a corpse and it forbade the cutting of one’s hair. At the completion of the designated period, it required one to go to the temple to offer gifts (sacrifices) and have one’s head shaved. The reason for Paul to do it at this time was to publicly demonstrate his faithfulness to the laws and traditions of Israel. They hoped that if his critics saw Paul in this light they would no longer be suspicious of him.

Yet, when Paul and the others are preparing to complete their vow they are accosted by the “Jews from Asia.” Again, it seems that Paul is being pursued. Wherever he has established a church, there is a band of angry brothers who want him stopped. They shout accusations against him, including that he has brought a Greek into the temple (which would be punishable by death, were it true). A chaotic scene is described, resembling incidents that we have seen before.

A Roman official, the tribune, enters the scene to restore order. There is a brief conversation about Paul’s identity – apparently, some have mistakenly identified him as an Egyptian who was responsible for a revolt against Rome and escaped. This was cleared up but, still, Paul was severely beaten, arrested, and bound in two chains.

The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, as Paul begins a speech that we know will be very important. So we will pause, take a breath, and prepare ourselves for that in the next installment.

A couple of things that bear deeper consideration in this chapter:

1.    The conflicting messages of the Holy Spirit. When we are told that the disciples in Tyre told Paul not to go to Jerusalem through the Spirit, we are to understand that it was knowledge they arrived at through faithful, discerning prayer. Neither the disciples, nor Paul, doubts the authenticity of it. Yet, Paul firmly stands by his own discernment of the Spirit, telling him that he should go to Jerusalem.

The conflicting messages from the Holy Spirit are not meant to confuse the reader or cause doubt. This simply reflects the reality that people of faith do disagree with one another in good faith. If our tendency is to assume that someone must be wrong, we will have difficulty with this. If we have a propensity to think that anyone who sees it differently than we do is wrong, then we will have difficulty with this. The story challenges us to be more broad-minded and hold opposing possibilities in mind.

2.    The suffering of the Apostles.      We cannot help but notice the incessant violence that the Apostles, particularly Paul, suffer in the course of their ministry. And you might wonder: if this is what it is to be a Christian, who would want it?

In this chapter, especially, we see a pattern that bears some resemblance to Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, his suffering and arrest and death. Paul is walking in Christ’s footsteps – which makes sense. Recall Jesus’ words to his followers in Luke 9: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

This is not a glorification of suffering. In the book of Acts we see suffering as a sign that you are following the will of God and participating in the fight against evil. This is the mission of the church, a mission that we all share in together.

Questions for Reflection:

·        Imagine being a fellow traveler with Paul. Or a Christian who hosts him during his travels. What might be especially inspiring for you? What might be especially challenging for you?