This part of Acts speaks to something we all want: convenience. We will use chapter 21 for this reflection. Read verses 1 through 16. You can also read the entire chapter if you want.
Chapter 21 is like the transition from Paul’s last missionary journey (third) to his trip to Rome, which also marked the end of his life.
Paul is done with his third missionary journey and now is getting ready to go to Jerusalem.
Apparently, the people who were with him knew that was Paul’s plan. As he was preparing for the trip, a prophet by the name of Agabus comes to wherever Paul and the others were.
The prophet brings Paul a message. According to chapter 21, he takes a belt and binds his hands and feet. Then, he says that the man to whom belongs this belt, people will bind him in Jerusalem and deliver him to the Gentiles.
The belt belonged to Paul. When the people, who were with Paul, heard this, they were terrified. And, with good intentions of protecting Paul, they are going to try to convince him not to go to Jerusalem.
Does this remind you of a Biblical story you may be familiar with? If not, do you remember when Jesus tells his disciples that he will be going to Jerusalem, and once there, people will kill him?
There are a lot of places that share the narrative of Jesus foretelling his death as well as the disciples, especially Peter, would want Jesus to choose convenience or the comfortable by not embracing death on the cross for all humankind.
You read about those narratives in Matthew (16:21-23, 17:22-23, 20:17-19, 26:32), Mark (8:31-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34), and Luke (9:21-22, 43-45, and 18:31-34).
Just as Peter and the other disciples wanted to protect Jesus from going to Jerusalem, so did the people who were with the Apostle Paul, based on Acts 21.
Christian Faith Is Not a Call to a Life of Convenience
When you think of our Scripture, we’re using in this reflection, and primarily the prophecy Agabus shares with Paul, you’d say that God is protecting Paul from harm.
Who would not want such divine warning protecting them from danger?
That’s convenient. Isn’t it?
Convenience implies everything that enables us to live, work, or operate with as little effort as possible. In a lot of ways, it means we eliminate as many hindrances as possible from our everyday living.
As a result, we create for ourselves an environment that is conducive to comfort, ease, suitable, and free discomfort.
At the same time, and in the words of Jesus, Himself, when we choose to follow Him, we agree to a life of self-denial and sacrifices in His name (Matthew 16:24).
Following Jesus as His disciple means that there is no guarantee of convenience. It’s a life that brings up a lot of opposition from our sinful nature, our society, and more.
Paul knew about it based on his calling. He knew that he would face a lot of opposition, especially from the Jews.
Christian Faith Is a Call to a Life of Conviction
Paul’s response to the prophecy was,
When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:12-14.
Paul was not about convenience but conviction.
Of course, he didn’t create situations that put his life in danger. He was willing to boldly talk about his faith.
His conviction came out of his experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Remember, he was on this journey with one mission: to arrest the members of the Way (Christians). Read about that in Acts 9.
Jesus appeared to him and called him to serve the Lord he was unknowingly persecuting.
His conviction came out of what he had seen and heard, which made up the foundation of his faith.
Later on, in his letter to the Romans, Paul puts it this way,
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17.
Our conviction, as Christians, comes from what we hear. And, what we hear comes from the Word of God: written (Bible), and revealed.
In Conclusion
Convenience isn’t a bad thing to provide for ourselves. But, it doesn’t have to replace our convictions, which are grounded in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and King. Instead, convenience comes out of our convictions.
In other words, we use our convictions to create safer environments where we can grow together as Children of God through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
