The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 21:10-14, “As we were staying there for some days, a 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 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!’”

I was never really one to rush into danger. Once warned, I tried to avoid things that could conceivably work against me. (That may be a circuitous way of saying I wasn’t quick to tackle things against I didn’t fully understand.) Yet, that was not the way of the Apostle Paul.

The prophet Agabus firmly warned Paul against going to Jerusalem. In fact, he quoted the Holy Spirit, saying that the Jews at Jerusalem would take Paul captive and turn him over to the Gentiles.

Agabus’ prophecy resonated with the Christians at Caesarea, and they began to beg Paul not to enter Jerusalem. Agabus’ warning would have been more than a sufficient warning to me, but not to Paul. In the end, the local believers “fell silent.” All they could say was, “The will of the LORD be done.”

Have you not faced situations you didn’t fully under-stand? Were you not hesitant about involving yourself in such things? Not Paul! His entire purpose had been to get to Jerusalem. He had been delivered numerous times by the Holy Spirit. Why should he worry and protect himself now?

Scholars will doubtlessly argue to the end of time as to whether Paul was wrong to go against the warnings of his numerous, spiritual friends.

Despite the situation, we should never rush carelessly into danger. We should prayerfully counsel with the Holy Spirit and adhere to Him. The LORD is always able to protect us; yet, He wills that we listen and obey His direction for our lives. Are you listening? Are you following His direction? You can, you know. The LORD will never lead you astray.

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