Broken Hearted

I wish I had known Luke. His two books appeal to me in so many ways. Partly, because they are written as though addressed to an individual, by a real person who not only loves telling the story, but has interviewed his friends for its substance.

Acts is even more personal – switching from reporter to the very personal ‘we’ when he’s traveling with Paul. We can feel his acceptance when he accepts God’s will, though he is uncomfortable with it:

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (Acts 21:14 KJV)

Paul and his traveling company were at Caesarea with the evangelist, Philip, when a prophet arrived:

And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:10-11 KJV)

Paul was familiar with the process – he certainly used it during his persecution of Christians before his conversion. None of his company wondered about the result:

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:12 KJV)

Have you felt that way when you hear of missionaries going into a troubled land? We recently listened to a couple whose mission field will be a country that currently is considered in civil war. While undeclared, the governing forces are unable to protect their citizens. Armed gangs take what they want, kill those who will not cooperate, and neither local or national governing levels are able to stop them. Try guessing which country – how many fit that description today?

Did Paul care about this companions and their fears? Enough to tell them:

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 21:13 KJV)

Enough to be heart broken at their tears. Not to fear for his life in Jerusalem, or any where on earth, for that matter. But to be heart broken, for his friends.

Thank God he was strengthened to remain in God’s will, and he carried the company with him so they were able to respond:

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (Acts 21:14 KJV)

Would that we, though we be heart broken, say the same: The will of the Lord be done.