July 8, 2020
Can't Go Around It, Gotta Go Through It
Acts 21:1–16
Benson Hines
Central Truth
We should make sure our understanding of suffering lines up with all the Bible says about it.
Key Verse | Acts 21:12-14
When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done."
Acts 21:1–16
Paul Goes to Jerusalem
1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 1 21:1 Some manuscripts add and Myra 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers 2 21:7 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17 and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews 3 21:11 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Dive Deeper | Acts 21:1–16
It's easy to form some mixed-up ideas about suffering. Ever since the time of Job, God's people have been misdiagnosing the causes of suffering and prescribing bad ways to handle it. But passages like Acts 21 set us straight!
First, we see that God's plans can involve suffering. Paul is tenaciously traveling to Jerusalem, even though he knows hardship awaits him there (Acts 20:22-23). Many times in the Bible, God's people are led by Him into trials. Yet Christians can too quickly describe difficult circumstances as either spiritual warfare or God's discipline. In many cases, the difficulties are neither.
Second, counsel to avoid suffering may be wise, but it's still human counsel. Acts 21 presents two instances when Christian brothers and sisters received a clear message from the Lord about Paul's future. In response, they did what we would have done—they urged Paul to avoid pain. But the passage makes it clear Paul was also listening to God, who was calling Paul to this path. We should humbly listen to counsel—but sacrifice, stretching, and sorrow aren't to be automatically avoided. Sometimes God's paths won't look like "common sense."
Third, difficult outcomes don't indicate wrong decisions. How often do we observe hard consequences and assume we (or someone else) must have made a wrong choice? But what if God instead was leading His child into trials for His own purposes? We see the Lord do this in Scripture numerous times, including in this section of Acts. Bad consequences certainly might indicate we made a bad decision—just like hardship might truly be spiritual warfare. But these murky situations require praying for God's clarity, not labeling decisions as sinful (or mistakes) simply because they led to suffering.
Fourth, suffering and community should go arm-in-arm. No, I don't mean that sharing your life with others produces suffering! (Although sometimes it can!) I mean we must allow other Christians to weep with us, and we must come alongside others in their suffering (Romans 12:15). Even though these believers didn't love Paul's decision, both Paul and his friends showed deep love and care for each other.
Discussion Questions
1. When I face unexpected trials, am I more likely to blame them on myself, on others, on "chance," or on spiritual warfare? Have I ever mislabeled a painful event that God actually intended for good?
2. How can I determine whether my current hardship is God's discipline, the enemy's attack, or something else? Will God always show me the reason for my trials? (See also the Book of Job.)
3. Do I let my own interpretation of circumstances (sometimes known as looking for "open and closed doors") play too large a role in determining my next steps?
4. When I make decisions, do I avoid sacrifice, stretching, and sorrow at all costs? When I give advice, do I encourage others to avoid sacrifice, stretching, and sorrow at all costs?
5. What other Bible characters and passages highlight the role suffering can/does/should play in the life of a Christ-follower?