Unlikely Leaders

Paul’s Farewell Journey to Jerusalem

This chapter is based on Acts 20:4 to 21:16.

Paul always held onto the hope that he help to remove the prejudice of his unbelieving countrymen so that they would accept the gospel. He also wanted to meet the church at Jerusalem and give them the gifts the Gentile churches had sent. And he hoped to bring about a closer tie between Jewish and Gentile converts to the faith. ULe 142.1

He was about to step aboard the ship to sail for a port in Palestine when he learned that the Jews were plotting to take his life. In the past, these opposers had failed in their efforts to end the apostle’s work. ULe 142.2

Paul’s success in preaching the gospel stirred up the Jews’ anger again. This teaching released Jews from the ceremonial law and made Gentiles equal with Jews as children of Abraham! Paul’s enemies called it blasphemy when he said emphatically, “There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised” (Colossians 3:11), and they determined to silence his voice. ULe 142.3

Paul received warning of the plot and decided to go by way of Macedonia. He had to give up his plan to reach Jerusalem in time for the Passover, but he hoped to be there at Pentecost. He had a large amount of money with him from the Gentile churches, and because of this he made arrangements for representatives to go with him from the various churches that had contributed. ULe 142.4

At Philippi he stopped to keep the Passover. Only Luke remained with him, while the others went ahead to Troas to wait for him there. The Philippians were the apostle’s most loving and truehearted converts, and he enjoyed happy fellowship with them. ULe 142.5

Sailing from Philippi, Paul and Luke reached Troas five days later and remained for seven days with the believers there. ULe 142.6