When we heard this, we and
the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul
answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be
bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he
would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts
21:12-14
Paul
felt convicted that he needed to be arrested and marched into Jerusalem to
confront the Jewish leaders and mob mentality that would have him
arrested. It was also best for him to be
around Roman guards who were also his enemy, but they would protect him. Paul says in Acts 23 that he had fulfilled
his duty, meaning he had done all he needed to do—four missionary trips, years
on the road, leading many to Christ, starting dozens of churches, raising up
leaders like Timothy and Titus.
Maybe
Paul was getting old. We know he wrote
many influential letters during his time in custody, like the books of Ephesians,
Colossians, Philippians and Philemon.
In
the end, it was the Lord’s will for Paul to be in custody and head to Rome to
face Caesar. An angel told Paul he would
reach that goal and we know he made a tremendous impact along the way.