Day 343, December 9 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Acts 20:7–23:11
Courage and Wisdom in Adversity
During a football game, a coach is often found on the sidelines with headphones on. While he watches his players, he is also listening to his other coaches, who are in an upstairs booth in the stands. They are looking for strategies to win. The coach needs courage and wisdom to make tough decisions and try to lead his team to victory.
Although most of us are not football coaches, perhaps we can sympathize with the need for courage and wisdom for other kinds of adversity. Whether in the family or on the job, sometimes we Christians are not liked because we are religious or do not have the same standards. What do we do?
The Apostle Paul was not liked by some people. The Jewish leaders hated him and plotted against him to take his life. Yet, Paul had an assignment to fulfill, given to him by God. What he did when he faced adversity will help us as we follow his example.
Paul’s assignment
Paul’s assignment was to return to Jerusalem with the contributions he had collected from the churches of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was bringing relief to poor Christians there (1Corinthians 16:1-4; Romans 15:26).Jews in Jerusalem persecuted followers of “The Way” (the term used of believers because they were followers of Jesus). The Jewish leaders considered them to be a religious cult. They were a threat to their traditions, heritage, and their influence in the Roman government. They were hated! Thus, it is likely that they neither allowed nor carried out commerce with the Christians in Jerusalem. Paul’s mission was to go into this hostile territory to help them.
Danger ahead!
The dangers were real. While the Apostle Peter tried to keep the Jewish traditions, Paul didn’t. Paul was a missionary to the Gentiles (non-Jews), who were considered no better than despicable dogs. He was once a zealous Pharisee, but the Jews thought he turned into a traitor when he became a Christian. Now he was coming back to Jerusalem and was considered an enemy! The outcome of his trip to Jerusalem looked bleak.
In today’s Bible reading, the Apostle Paul is journeying back to Jerusalem. Along the way, there are dire prophecies made about him. Prophets tell him that he will be bound and persecuted in Jerusalem. His Christian brothers and sisters plead with him not to go. Still, Paul doesn’t turn aside from his mission.
Why did the Holy Spirit give the prophecy to the prophets if not to stop him? One possible answer is that he gave the warning so others might support Paul in prayer.
We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us in days of adversity.
How does Paul encourage himself? On the way to Jerusalem, Paul tells the Ephesian elders (ministers),
Paul feels compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. God’s assignments are not always easy. Although he will suffer hardships, Paul steels himself in the face of probable persecution so he might complete the task God has given him. This is not confidence in himself— his faith is in the Almighty! (see also Philippians 1:6).And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace (Acts 20:22-24, NIV).
When Paul arrives in Caesarea, he answers concerns for his safety. He says to the believers there, “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” (Acts 21:3, NIV). Paul is resolved to complete the task assigned to him for the sake of his commander, Jesus Christ. Are we?
When Paul enters enemy territory in Jerusalem, the brothers welcome him warmly but ask him to behave with careful wisdom. They ask him to take a vow of purity, so the rumors of Paul persuading Jews outside of Jerusalem to act like Gentiles will be stopped. He conforms to their wishes, but it doesn’t work, and Paul is thrown out of the temple. Then the Jews try to kill him, but Roman soldiers save Paul by arresting him and taking him away .Paul’s defense
After Paul is arrested, he requests an audience with the Jews. He wants to make his defense before the people. In his defense, he confesses that he was zealous in protecting the Jewish traditions until he was suddenly converted to follow Christ. Then, when Paul testifies that God gave him the assignment to go to the Gentiles, an uprising starts against him. The Gentiles, after all, are not thought worthy of God.
Paul is clever
Hearing the uproar, the Roman officials don’t understand what is causing it. For Paul’s safety, and until they figure it out, they bind him and bring him back into the barracks. To keep order, they intend to beat him, but Paul uses the clout of his Roman citizenship to prevent them from doing it. He is shrewd. Here, we might learn from Paul how to respond to adversity—God has given us a mind to use. He wants us to be as wise as snakes but harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).Discussion
Not all assignments from God are easy. Why not?
How might we face days of adversity like the Apostle Paul?
Focus Verse
Acts 20:24 (NIV) “…I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”
Watch a video of today's Bible lesson here. Start at 2:14:20 and end at 2:36:14
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Looking Ahead: How do we Respond to Unfair Treatment? How do we Present a Defense? Learn more from Paul's example in our Next Lesson.
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