Paul, Luke and other men said good-by to the Ephesian elders at a seaport town and continued on their journey toward Jerusalem.  They sailed to several ports, seeking to travel on various ships to reach their destination.  They did not sail on cruise ships.  They sailed on cargo ships.  Their trip did not take hours, but days and weeks.  Where did they sleep?  What did they eat?  We are not told.  They reached Tyre and stopped so the cargo ship could unload.

They did not waste time; they looked up believers in Tyre and spent seven days with them.  While they were there, Paul was once again warned by believers through the Holy Spirit not to go to Jerusalem.  Again and again, Paul was warned by the Holy Spirit through various believers, not to “set foot in Jerusalem.”  (Acts 21:1-4)

Paul was not deterred from his course.  He continued to set his face toward Jerusalem.

(NASB) Acts 21:5-6 “When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city.  After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another.
6 Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.”

Why did Paul continue on to Jerusalem?  He was warned repeatedly not go to Jerusalem.
(NASB) Acts 19:21 “…Paul purposed in the spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia (Europe and most of Greece) saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’”

(NASB) Acts 20:22-23 “And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,                                                                            23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.”

What was Paul’s goal, his focus?
(NASB) Acts 20:24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

What are your goals in life?  Where is your focus?  Paul’s focus was on the ministry the Lord Jesus gave him.  He continued to testify to “the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul was not deterred.  What is keeping you from telling others of God’s gift of grace to them?  Is it fear of what they will think of you?  Is pride holding you back from giving another an opportunity to know Jesus?  Do you feel uncomfortable or ill at ease?

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?
Share that with another!