Year 7, Day 253: Acts 20

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Acts 20 starts the beginning of the end.  Here we see Paul make his way back to Jerusalem knowing that it could be the beginning of the end.  Since we know the story, we know that the trip to Jerusalem is the beginning of the end – sending Paul to Rome to be tried before Caesar.

Paul knows this, too.  Beginning in verse 22, Paul’s speech begins to be fairly dark.  He doesn’t know what will happen to him.  He knows that imprisonment and persecution awaits him wherever he goes.  He does not count his life as having value.  He is focused only on completing what God has asked of him.

I think this is a phenomenal claim.  How many of us consider our lives as forfeit?  How many of us are willing to make any sacrifice so long as God’s will is done?  How many of us are willing to go wherever God asks and do whatever He asks regardless of the cost?

Paul has that focus.  That is why he can go anywhere and say the message that God lays on his heart.  Mind you, Paul isn’t looking to sacrifice his life.  But he is willing to do so.

It takes a special person to be willing to look at their life as forfeit while they are still in their prime.  It takes someone who is trying to be like Jesus.

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