10 Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. 11 He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
13 But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:10-14 NLT
APPLICATION
In these verses, Paul was getting ready to travel to Jerusalem to preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul through a man named Agabus that there would be persecution. People begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem, so that he could be safe.
What is Paul's response? I will follow Jesus and share the gospel no matter what. I will follow Him in jail! I will follow Him in prison. I will follow Him in the hills of success. I will follow Him in the hills of failure. He was ready to be imprisoned or die for his faith in Jesus. Knowing his fate, Paul still went to Jerusalem to preach the good news of the gospel.
Our purpose on this earth is to serve God. Jesus was beaten and persecuted. Jesus was rejected and treated like trash. How will you handle rejection or unfair treatment? Will you stop following Jesus?
Following Jesus isn't easy, but it is worthwhile.
PRAYER
Dear Father, we thank you for your love. We thank you for how you sacrificed your life for us. Help us turn away from our greed and pride and idols and surrender everything, even our life, to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.