The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 21:10-14, “And as we were staying there for some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In

this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'”

12 And when we had heard this, we, as well as the local residents, began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound,

but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

There are indeed some very interesting and tender moments in biblical history. Agabus is mentioned only twice, both of which are in the Book of Acts. Both times, Agabus is avowed as a prophet. He had previously indicated “by the Spirit” that a great famine would prevail over all the Earth, and indeed it did. Now, this same prophet, predicting what he alleged was by the word of the same Holy Spirit, that Paul’s entrance into Jerusalem, would result in his being bound and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. Interesting, too, is the visual demonstration that Agabus used, taking Paul’s own belt and binding his own hands and feet, simultaneously alleging this to be a divine revelation of the Holy Spirit.

The assembly of believers were thereby convinced that Paul should not venture to Jerusalem. Paul, on the other hand, was resistant to the prophecy of Agabus, despite the tearful pleading of his Christian friends. Why Paul would resist Agabus’ prophecy, especially when it was someone he knew to be a valid prophet of the LORD? Paul and Barnabus had met Agabus in Antioch (Acts 11:22-28); but before we conclude who was right or wrong in this situation, we need to look ahead at what actually transpired. Both men were right. Agabus was right in what he predicted, and Paul was right in going to Jerusalem. The people who witnessed Agabus’ prophecy were also right when they said, “The will of the LORD be done.”

The emphasis we must not miss is that of Paul. The congregation was weeping, as it urged Paul not to go. Their sincerity grieved Paul to the depths of his heart. Yet, his response was that he was ready to be bound as a prisoner –even to die for the name of the LORD Jesus! This is the ultimate act of dying to one’s self. For when we truly die to “self,” there is nothing at all that matters, except the glorification of the LORD Jesus Christ. And that is what a true believer’s life all about! Are you a “true believer”? Think about it carefully before you answer.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom