Bound

Contributed by David Buschart

“… I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, “The Lord’s will be done.” —Acts 21:13-14

According to Acts 21:1-14, Paul was bound.

He was bound for Jerusalem. The book of Acts reports on Paul’s extensive travels—travels to proclaim “the name of the Lord Jesus” (21:13). Chapter 21 describes his journey from Miletus through Cos, Rhodes, Patara, Syria, Tyre, Ptolemais, Caesarea, and finally to Jerusalem. And in several of these locales, Christian brethren, with the best of intentions—namely, their love and care for Paul—exhorted Paul not to go to Jerusalem (21:4, 11-12). But he was bound for there.

Paul was bound together with other Christ-followers. That is, he was not alone on his journey but rather was intimately connected to other Christ-followers. Luke’s narrative refers to “we” throughout. A group was accompanying Paul. And in addition to those traveling with Paul there was rich fellowship with Christ followers along the way. For example, they stayed for seven days with disciples at Tyre, and at the end of the seven days “all of them, with wives and children” escorted the group out of the city and prayed with them before sending them on their way (21:4-6). They then stayed with fellow believers in Ptolemais (21:7) and in Caesarea (21:8-9). Clearly, the apostle Paul was a towering figure and, among human beings, is the focal point of Luke’s narrative. But Paul was bound to other Christ-followers.

Eventually, Paul was arrested and, literally, bound, probably hand and foot. As previously noted, along his journey he had been warned—more like implored—not to continue to Jerusalem. Most dramatically, a prophet, Agabus, came from Judea. He may well have come to Caesarea specifically for the purpose of speaking with Paul. And when he spoke to Paul, he “took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands with it,” and prophesied that in Jerusalem Paul would be bound and turned over to civil authorities, who would punish him (21:10-12). But Paul was bound in another way that over-rode any concerns about being tied hand and foot.

Ultimately, Paul was bound to Jesus and to proclaiming the message of Christ’s redemption. No matter what. When others, motivated by love and concern for Paul, pleaded with him not to complete his journey into the threats awaiting in Jerusalem, Paul said, “What are you doing … For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (21:13). Those who were with Paul heard the prophecy of Agabus and Paul’s reply, they were speechless. But they joined Paul in being bound to the Jesus. They said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Consider –

╬ Let’s each ask ourselves, “To whom am I bound? To what am I bound?” Be still for a few moments and ask the Spirit to enable you to identify those people, organizations, causes or passions to whom and to which you are most deeply devoted.

╬ Then, ponder each one that you have identified and ask yourself whether or not you can say with respect to each one, “The Lord’s will be done.” For each one to which you answer “Yes,” thank him for the gift of that person or organization or cause or passion. For each one to which you answer “No,” first, kudos for that honesty, and second, ask the Lord to work in your mind and heart to bring your heart for that person or organization or cause or passion to the point where you can say, “The Lord’s will be done.”

╬ Our Father, all that we are and all that we have is from you. Thank you for your many good gifts. By your Spirit, work in my mind and heart to bind me to Jesus in such a way that I genuinely imitate him by submitting to you and praying, “Not my will but yours.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.