by Michael Yong
When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:12-14)
Nothing stopped the gospel’s advancement in the book of Acts. Not threat. Not beating. Not persecution. Not even death. Because those proclaiming the gospel had unwavering determination, directed by the Spirit.
Peter and John were warned by the Jewish religious leaders not to speak in Jesus’ name again. Their response? “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (4:19-20) – Undaunted!
Paul had planned to go to Jerusalem though he knew troubles laid ahead of him there. He explained: “…I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will
happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (20:22-24)
Again, Paul was warned he would suffer in Jerusalem. His heartfelt words were captured in the verses at the top. The book ended with Paul in Rome where he continued to preach the gospel while under house arrest and waiting to stand trial before the Roman emperor. Unflinching!
Peter, John and Paul were men committed to their God-given mission. A mission that demanded their all – heart, soul, and life. No reservation! By the Spirit, they possessed an unshakeable resolve to take the gospel everywhere, at great cost to themselves.
Hear our SYFC staff, in this REACH, catching the same spirit of resolve to remain true to the mission of sharing the gospel to young people, even when it is getting harder to reach them.
