Should I Stay or Go
The disciples in Tyre urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. The book of Acts indicates that their urging was “Through the Spirit.” The Apostle Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, and nothing could stop him - not even urging from the Spirit of God. Paul’s traveling companions also tried to dissuade him. But the missionary had his mind set. His sight was on God's city, and, like an old horse seeing the barn, he would not move to the left or right. Straight ahead, and as quickly as possible, is all Paul wanted to do.
So the people who loved Paul and cared for his well-being “gave up” and left the whole thing up to God. From the account in Acts, it was clear that the Apostle was ready for whatever came his way in Jerusalem. He was likely to face persecution and even death. But, according to his own testimony, he was ready to face whatever came at him.
Whether Paul should have gone to Jerusalem or not, his faithful service led to the writing of much of the New Testament and countless numbers of people coming to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
The actions of Paul’s disciples and his traveling companions, and the way the scripture explains the conflict between the Apostle and those who loved him, raise a question:
Did God want Paul to go to Jerusalem?
The scripture is clear that people were directed by “the Spirit” to urge him not to go. The prophet Agabus was even sent to dissuade Paul from going to Jerusalem. Using Paul own belt, he illustrated how the Apostle would be bound and led away by the Gentiles.” It was very clear to all those around Paul, and to the faithful missionary as well, what would happen when he arrived in Jerusalem. God gave enough warnings. A very strong case can be made that God did not want Paul to go to Jerusalem.
But God did not stop the man from going. The Almighty could have done any number of things to stop Paul’s progress to Jerusalem. He could have sent a fish to swallow the Apostle, as He did His prophet, Jonah. But He did not. God allowed Paul to progress and watched His faithful servant walk right into Jerusalem, right into the hands of those who wished him dead.
I have heard some argue that Paul did not need to die at the time or in the way that he died. He did not have to go to Rome and be imprisoned. The Apostle could have continued his missionary journeys and brought the gospel of Christ to more people. That may be the case. But does that point matter more than this:
Whether you are in the right place or the wrong place, you always have the opportunity to glorify God!
One may argue that Paul belligerently progressed to Jerusalem, ignoring all the alarms. It could also be argued that the Apostle had more days left and more trips to make. But arguing that Paul was not productive for God's Kingdom while in Roman chains is a losing argument. The man wrote Spirit-inspired letters to believers. These letters make up much of the New Testament. Paul did not rest on his laurels. He remained faithful. The writings made during his imprisonment have freed more people than one can count. Oh, the glorious throng brought to saving in Christ Jesus through the Spirit-led writings of that belligerent missionary.
Jerusalem may have been the wrong place, but the way Paul went resulted in a race finished to the glory of God!
