Thoughts which carry me to Jesus, and to the Cross

“After we located the disciples, we stayed there seven days. They repeatedly told Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.” …
“While we remained there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, “The Holy Spirit says this: ‘This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, both we and the local people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Because he could not be persuaded, we said no more except, “The Lord’s will be done.”” (Acts 21:4, 10–14, NET)

58         “You are all so cheerful, and one doesn’t expect that,” I heard someone say.

Paul was in an interesting position.

All his advisors took the same position, for they had all indeed heard the same message from God. If Paul goes to Jerusalem, there will be nothing there for him but pain, and even death. They warned him not to go because of this message, and they were led by the Spirit to warn him of his fate.

Yet he went anyway, with eyes wide open, led by the same Spirit that warned him through those he loved, through those he sacrificed much of his life to bring the gospel.

In those cases where heavy decisions are to be made, how do you go against the counsel of so many people you admire, How do you decide who is right between Paul and the church?

I think the key has to be found in Paul’s attitude in this situation. He was completely at peace with the situation, He was ready, he couldn’t be persuaded, and so, content and at peace , he embraced what was to come. It was, to use Josemarie’s word, unexpected. It doesn’t make sense to embrace suffering, it is illogical, some might even say stupid and a waste of assets and gifts from God.

It is the peace that makes the difference, the presence of Christ that assured Paul and us that “all things work for good for those who love Jesus.” If someone is that content with the sacrifice they are called to make, then what a blessing it is, we should encourage them, and praise God for what will happen, for it is His will.

And that is how we endure – looking to Jesus the one who completes us.

Escrivá, Josemaría. Furrow (p. 23). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.