“After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, ‘The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’’

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.’
After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.”
Acts 21:10-15

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MAY 21, 2025

Paul was not the first person to boldly set out toward Jerusalem, knowing that only trouble and pain awaited him there—yet knowing also that going to Jerusalem was the will of God.

Back in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus also “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (9:51), and indeed, almost half of Luke’s account takes place along the journey. Luke’s readers know exactly what will happen to Jesus in the Holy City, and Luke doesn’t let us forget how intentional Jesus was in going there, sprinkling words like “nearing Jerusalem” or “on the way to Jerusalem” into the stories, teachings, and parables.

Luke is the author of both The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles and when we read them both side by side it becomes clear he drew out several parallels between the Master (Jesus) and his servant (Paul). In both cases, Jesus and Paul are determined to go to Jerusalem, knowing trouble awaits but also confident God called them there. In both cases, Jesus’ and Paul’s friends do not understand the reason for such a dangerous undertaking.

The similarities continue once Jesus and Paul arrive in the city, are welcomed by the people, break bread, visit the temple, are seized, and undergo trial.

What shall we make of this? As an author myself, I’m intrigued by the careful parallels Luke carefully recorded in his accounts, and that God wrote into the life stories of both Jesus and Paul. Whatever it may mean, one thing seems certain: Jesus was not kidding when He said that those who follow Him should stop arguing about being first in the kingdom or gaining status, but instead take up their cross and expect suffering and death. For what happened to the Master is now happening to the Servant, just as Jesus said it would.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • How do we “market” following Jesus? Do we try to bring everyone in with promises of great fulfillment, or do we, like Jesus, warn everyone interested to carefully count the great cost?
  • Consider your answer to the above question. Why do you think that is?
  • What other parallels do you see in Luke’s telling of both Jesus’ and Paul’s trip to Jerusalem?

Church Reading Plan: Numbers 30; Psalm 74