Focus on the Mission
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
The Apostle Paul had experienced hardships that most of us know nothing or very little about, beatings, shipwrecks, and intense persecution from Gentiles as well as his own countrymen. He was a humble servant of the Lord which brought him tears and temptations, but he never wavered in his commitment to preach the gospel in obedience unto the call that Christ had issued to him. He was now on a journey to Jerusalem not knowing what would befall him there.
I cannot think of another person in the New Testament, other than Jesus Christ, of course, who was braver, stronger, and more determined than Paul. I think back to some of the Old Testament heroes like Abraham, Moses, and David, who were great men of God, brave and strong also, but even in their pursuit of God, they exhibited many flaws and doubts. I also think about Daniel and his compadres, Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego, who displayed a certain passion and persistence in their desire to honor the God of Israel. They, like Paul, were consistent in their longing to please the Lord. If there were any inconsistencies in the behavior of these four captured Jews, it is not recorded in scripture.
We know that Paul, before becoming a believer, was a dedicated persecutor of Christ and the gospel, but after he was converted, he became the most outspoken and committed man for Christ the world has ever known. I suppose that if any modern-day preacher could come close to equaling Paul’s efforts, it would have been Billy Graham. Being completely filled with the Holy Spirit and a determination to bring Christ to a lost world, it is with these credentials that Paul was headed to Jerusalem where he would face man’s judgment. Later, Paul wrote Timothy that he was persuaded that Christ was able to safeguard his life and his commitment until the day when Christ would call him home (II Timothy 1:12). Wouldn’t it be great if all Christians could have at least half of the dedication that Paul possessed?
Paul had been warned by the Holy Spirit that he would face opposition in every city that he visited. By now, surely he had come to expect trouble. I can picture the people of the towns closing their doors and pretending that they weren’t home when they saw Paul coming down the street. Lost people aren’t that eager to hear the gospel until they become desperate. Paul was not deterred by the certain risk of physical harm or incarceration. His goal was to reach Jerusalem so that he could deliver the donations that had been gathered amongst the churches in Asia and Greece for the believers in Jerusalem who were in need. There were no Jewish welfare agencies who would desire to help those Jews who had become followers of Christ. Nothing has changed. Today if you don’t share the same ideology or politics, then those in charge do not desire to help you.
Paul’s desire to preach the gospel to his fellow Jews and to obey the Lord in carrying out his ministry was foremost on his mind. He could not let threats keep him from obeying Christ. Jesus would provide for him and protect him until his work was finished. What profit is there in a long life lived out of the will of God? Better is a short life that is lived in obedience to the Lord than to live to old age with all those years wasted in living for oneself. Paul’s mission was ordained by God to go to the Gentiles with the gospel of Jesus Christ, but Paul could not refrain himself from being sidetracked by his love and concern for his fellow countrymen. He desired for all people regardless of nationality to know the freedom that can only be found in Christ. As God planned for him (Acts 23:11), Paul would eventually make it to Rome, but not the way he expected. Because he had preached the gospel in Jerusalem, he was arrested, but when the authorities found out that he was a Roman citizen, they sent him to Rome to appear before Caesar. Folks talk about others as having a “one-track mind”, meaning that some folks are so determined to do what they plan, they don’t allow anything to get in their way. I guess we could say that Paul had a “one-track mind”. After all, he did say that he was determined not to know anything among all those to whom he preached except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. His life proved that he wasn’t kidding!