And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 20: 22-38
I was so moved when I read Acts 20 today, not only did it have my absolute favorite verse (v. 24 above), but it was an absolute encouragement to refresh myself with some of Paul’s story. In the west, we don’t really have persecution, outside of a friend who happens to be in jail right now for absolutely no reason, it’s not too bad here yet. People aren’t being hurt or killed physically for their faith. Although biblically, that day will indeed come, it has not yet. Paul went through all kinds of trial, jail, physical harm and eventually went on to die for his faith. A lot of times it is hard for me to relate to people, because I have had a taste of persecution from my family who all happen to be hindu, but haven’t met anyone else personally that has gone through something similar. Most friends have grown up in a Christian home. I heard a story once of a woman from Iran fled the persecution in her country to come to America, but was so discouraged by the “American church”, and actually went back to the persecution.
Although I certainly can not compare myself to Paul or his journey, it is refreshing to hear how steadfast his faith was, after going through so many trials. He never slowed down, as the word said, “for three years, he never stopped warning each of you day at night with tears”. He also would preach until midnight as we read earlier in Acts. He was an extremely hard working man, whether doing physical work, preaching the gospel, or both, he didn’t stop with Gods’ strength. His vision was “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (v. 24). He didn’t live for himself, but for the gospel that saved him, not only from the pits of hell, but from a life with no vision or purpose. In Pauls case, Jesus literally made him blind, and then opened up his eyes (Paul’s conversion story):
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Acts 9:3-16
Although the Lord never “blinded” me, I was so blind from being in the world. And in Pauls’ case, I believe some of the reason God made him blind, was to really show Himself to Him to be true, and Saul was so arrogant and against Him, he needed some drastic measures. When Ananias came and laid hands on him, his sight was restored, but he could finally see (the truth), for the first time. When I share my testimony, I always share that I got on my knees and asked God into my life, and when I opened my eyes, it was like I could see for the first time, and that my eyes were opened. I regained sight, like I was born again and became alive for the first time, just like Paul.
I am so grateful to God for reading through Acts and Paul’s journey, especially this week, when I have had some persecution from those close to me. Paul encourages me to keep going, keep my eyes fixed on Jesus until death, and not to waver because of insult of man. Thank You, Jesus, for the living word and for Pauls’ testimony!
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12