4 Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
The Spirit reveals what is going to happen to Paul in Jerusalem and He does this for both Paul and the people. Paul knows what awaits him in Jerusalem and the people need the time to grieve. Paul gets repeated confirmations of what will happen to him when he goes to Jerusalem. He knows that it will be another difficult encounter. He will get to see some old friends, but the Lord has let him know that all will not be smooth. His very life will be threatened again. And yet he still is willing to go. Sometime the mission is so great that people lay their lives on the line for the Gospel. Paul is one such man. He has again and again placed his life on the line of Jesus. But remember, he is also the one who traveled around trying to kill Christians. He was there at the stoning of Stephen, giving his approval. He has so much to be sorrowful about, and yet he uses those reasons to be sorrowful as motivation to persevere in the face of great difficulties. He could have gotten stuck in the regrets and “should have’s,” but he didn’t. He instead used those as motivation to overcome. He knew the grace of God had rescued him and he was determined to live a life worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice for him. He did not want to live a life that was average, normal. He wanted to live a life of extra-ordinary thankfulness. He placed God’s will above his own. He counted the cost he would pay as nothing compared to the price Jesus paid for his sinful life. He could live in joy because of the rescue Jesus accomplished in him. He should not have been rescued. Paul viewed himself as “the worst of all sinners.” And yet Jesus paid the price for him. So he is willing to go to Jerusalem, even though he knows it might be the end of his life. Are you willing to go next door if the Lord prompts you?
The Arnold Journey 