22 And now, behold, bound by the [r]Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.

Acts 20:22-24 (NASB) 中文

3rd Missionary trip

Paul is closing in on the end of his 3rd missionary journey to visit his church plants and “strengthen all the disciples”. He’s been to churches in Asia, Macedonia and Acadia and is now returning via land through Macedonia and Asia. He’s skipped Ephesus to save time and has arrived in Miletus. From here he calls for the leaders of the church at Ephesus and teaches a farewell message.

Spirit led

As he continues his farewell message, Paul tells the leaders of the Ephesian church of his sense of urgency and call. The urgency is not just to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost (v16) but to preach the gospel. He is bound by (or in) the Spirit to this work and, for now, to head to Jerusalem. Regardless of the chains and afflictions that the same Spirit is prophesying awaits him, he presses on.

Finish the course

Now Paul reiterates his call. At all costs he absolutely must finish the course Christ has called him to run, the battle to fight. He is willing to suffer and even die for it. What could be so valuable? What could inspire such supreme devotion? Just as soldiers will die to save the life of their comrades and preserve the freedom of their countryman, Paul (as a model for all of us) was willing to literally do the same. 

Paul’s call

But the stakes are higher than an earthly battle. It’s heavenly, eternal. Paul’s call is to “testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.” No matter where he goes, who he talks to (Jews, Gentiles, slaves, rulers, physically sick, spiritually sick, etc.) he is driven to share the gospel. And this at all costs – even his life.

Later in his life, Paul writes to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

RЯeflection

• Time for personal reflection. Do we have the same call as Paul? Should we be sharing the good news with others? Are we ready to commit our lives to this? Committing our lives is not just death of this body, it’s death to fear of man and fear of ridicule or even discrimination.
• But was Paul motivated by fear? No way! Look again at 2 Timothy 4:7-8. He was yearning for a “crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day”. And Paul makes it clear, that crown can be ours as well, “and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” That would be us!