What Does God Require?
And when we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:12
Began Begging – Leadership doesn’t always mean that others will follow. In fact, in some cases, the leader must blaze a trail alone, even when all the good advice suggests retreat. How does the leader know when to go forward and when to listen to wise counsel? Well, that’s a matter of character and obedience.
Paul understood only one thing: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Paul’s purpose was to serve his Lord, no matter what. So, when Paul receives the message to go to Jerusalem, he determines that nothing will stop him. In this brief report, Luke tells us that on more than one occasion, Paul’s own friends begged him to reconsider. In fact, they came to Paul out of spiritually-motivated concern for his well-being. Agabus, at the direction of the Holy Spirit, provided a physical portrait of the danger. Luke pleaded with Paul. Everyone around him believed that they were guided by God to prevent Paul from continuing. They were right. God did give them the message to warn Paul. But Paul was required to be obedient in spite of the warnings. He told them that he was already bound to the Lord, in life and in death. So, to Jerusalem he must go.
The Greek verb here is very strong. It’s a verb you would recognize – parakaleo – to aid, comfort, come along side, encourage, beseech. Can you feel its impact? Paul, beloved friend, rabbi and messenger of God, is undoubtedly headed for terrible times, perhaps even death. Do you remember the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ last fellowship? Only Mary understood the significance of the moment, and she prepared her Lord for burial. The disciples were still arguing about who would be the greatest. They missed the kairos moment entirely. But now things have changed. The followers of the Way are in tune with the Spirit. There is grave danger for one dear to them. Can you feel their concern, their tears, their fears? God moved them to act in this way. Do you understand what that means? They were genuinely moved by the Spirit to ask Paul to change course. They were not wrong or sinful or disobedient. But in their actions, God transported Paul to his own Garden of Gethsemane. “If this cup can pass from me.” That’s what his closest friends suggest. Paul must choose the way of the cross, even when God motivates others to offer another path.
Paul knows what to do because Paul knows Jesus. This is first a matter of character; not Paul’s character, but the character of his Lord. Jesus did not let the cup pass. He could have, but He chose the will of the Father instead. From character springs obedience. That’s the way God wants it. God is not so much interested in compliance as He is in character. So, God engineers our lives so that there are many moments of character development. Once character is in place, obedience is the natural by-product. A leader with a heart for God will obey. It’s just who he is.
When you face real trials, remember that God may offer paraklesis through others as a kairos moment for character development. The advice may be good. It may be truthful. But decisions are made on the basis of the character of our Lord. “What would Jesus do?” is still the right direction, even if no one else will follow.
Topical Index: Leadership, Character
