“Commitment”

BIBLE READING: Acts 21

                When Paul finally arrives in Jerusalem, he refreshes himself with some friends and updates James on the work that he had done on his missionary journey.  While with James, he encourages him to take a vow to show the rest of the Jews that he is living under the observance of the Law.  After going through with this vow and the Jewish rites of purification, Paul makes his way to the Temple to worship. While there, a rumor begins to surface that Paul had took the Gentile Trophimus, into the Temple which would have defiled the Temple.   The only basis for this rumor was they had previously seen him in the city with Paul and just assumed Paul had brought him with him into the Temple.  This rumor escalated rather quickly, and they seize Paul and arrest him.  This really didn’t come as a surprise to Paul, in fact, he had been warned several times by others about what would happen to him if he went to Jerusalem.  It wasn’t that he thought he would have to suffer at the hands of the soldiers, he expected it.  If there ever was an example about what it means to be committed, this was it.  Knowing what must happen, he was still determined to continue his task that he had received for the risen Savior on the road to Damascus.  Notice his commitment and determination in Acts 21.13 “For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die for the name of the Lord in Jerusalem”.  That is the type of commitment that Jesus had while he was on this earth and that is the type of commitment that we should strive to have;  A determined mind to continue to do what needs to be done for the work of the Lord, no matter what consequences will result.  If we wish to change the world as the early Christians did, praying to God for this type of commitment is a great place to start.