P3 Weathering Life's Storms - How God provides even when there are no answers - Acts 27

Acts 27:23-24 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you."

Yesterday we considered how in the midst of life's storms, God can shine a ray of hope to encourage the believer. In the verse above we see Paul and 275 other men crammed into a sailing vessel that, based upon archaeological evidence, would had been over 30 feet wide and over 140 feet long. A storm of major proportions had blown upon the ship containing Paul, his fellow prisoners and their Roman captors while they were sailing for Rome. 

Throughout the course of our three day study we have been unfolding the following main point of application: God is in charge over storms and meets us in them. Today we aim to go further into Acts 27 by noting some things that were not present in this storm and some provisions God did grant during the storms.

There are times when we don't know why the storm has come - yet...

What makes Acts 27 so interesting is that despite it being the most detailed chapter in all of the Bible regarding storms, yet we are not told why God ordained this storm. Certainly God had ordained for Paul to go to Rome - this much we know. Throughout Paul's missionary journeys, Paul made it clear that he knew he was going to end up somehow in Rome. For example we read in Acts 19:21 "Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Could God had led Paul without the storm? Certainly. At times throughout scripture we see storms - both physical and otherwise - pop up in people's lives that have a discernible purpose, and then others like this one where the purpose is not so clear. In scripture we see storms come that are for correction, others for purification and still others for the purpose of putting the person in a holding pattern. Oftentimes too storms are ordained to build into that person a greater level of faith and trust. However there are those storms that - on the surface - seem to lack a defining purpose. Though the purpose may not be so easily seen does not mean there is no purpose. Remember our main point of application: God is over every storm and meets His people in them. 

The storm recorded here in Acts 27 is called a "Euraquilo". (Acts 27:14) This "North Easter" was a storm that was well-known by those ancients who traversed the vast stretches of the Mediterranean. When living in Florida, we learned first hand what it was like to have to deal with hurricanes and tropical storms. The weather patterns of our planet include such storms so as to provide a way for the earth to dissipate heat caused by warm maritime waters. This particular storm was one of those types of phenomena that are built into the created order of things. 

To us reading this text, it may seem like there is no purpose, being that none is stated. However by virtue of the fact that God sends an angel in 27:23 and provides a word for the sailors through Paul indicates that God not only is in charge of the storm, He meets His people in the storm. The most important thing to remember when weathering a storm of life is not about knowing the purpose in-as-much as knowing the God who works forth His purposes. Romans 8:28 reminds us that He works out all things to the good to those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose. 

There are times we are not told how long the storm will last - however...

Though Paul had been given confirmation that every man and himself would survive the voyage, they were not told how long it would take. Again you can comb through the remainder of Acts 27 and yet not find one time where God told Paul how long the storm would last. Even after two long weeks of constant winds and long after the storm had ceased its winds, it would be months before Paul finally got to Rome. Though there appeared to be no end in sight, yet within the sight of Paul was the Lord Jesus Christ.

What God did provide in the course of this storm

Today's post thus far may appear more negative than positive. Whenever you read through Acts 27, you discover that this is real history, recording a real life incident. Whether physical storms or life's storms, such phenomena don't follow a perfectly predictable pattern. In-as-much that people can "read" where a storm could take a person, no one can control outcomes. Only God possess perfect, comprehensive knowledge and power. We are oftentimes in the midst of a storm forced to find our hope in God, rather than other people or the circumstances. What did God provide in the midst of Paul's storm? Notice...

1. God provided strength. Acts 27:23

God sent an angel to Paul to bring encouragement and comfort. In Isaiah 6 we see God sending an angel to a frightened Isaiah who felt like he was going to die in the presence of God the Holy One. Jesus Himself experience the ministry of angels both at the end of his temptation experience and in the garden of Gethsemane. Hebrews 1:14 reminds us that God sends angels to minister to His people. God's strength is never to short to reach His people where they are at.

2. God provided peace. Acts 27:24

The angel that came to Paul said to not be afraid. When the angel appeared to Joseph and Mary, the same type of message was conveyed. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding is the God-kind of peace, whether delivered directly by God the Holy Spirit or indirectly through emissaries like angels.

3. God provided His word. Acts 27:25-26

God had a word for Paul and for those sailing with him. In a storm, when provisions are low and hope seems lost, only the word of God can bring ultimate comfort.  

More tomorrow....

P2 Weathering Life's storms - The ray of light in the midst of the storm - Acts 27

Acts 27:20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.

Yesterday we began considering the subject of weathering the storms of life. We discovered that throughout the scriptures there is much discussion about all kinds of storms.  We proposed the main point of application: God is in charge over storms and meets us in them. 

In Acts 27 we see the Apostle Paul getting on board with 275 other prisoners and Romans soldiers to set sail to Rome.  Paul was to appear before Caesar per his appeal to do so, as recorded in Acts 25:21 - "But when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.” That appeal would guarantee Paul an audience with the then most powerful man in the ancient world and an unprecedented opportunity to share the Gospel in the ancient world's most powerful city. 

When the wind begins to below before the storm

As the journey was set and begun in Acts 27, it was immediately clear that the journey was going to be anything but "smooth sailing". Both physical and of course spiritual winds began to blow. As you begin to walk your way through Acts 27:1-13, you get a "feel" for what was bound to be a storm of major proportions:

Acts 27:4 "From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary."

Acts 27:7 "When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone."

These waters were no different from the ones Paul had sailed in the course of his missionary journeys recorded in Acts 13-21. However the difference was that he was now traveling over waters with storms coming fast. Paul in his spirit sensed that before the trip was done, disaster would result. Perhaps you had experienced that in the course of your life, where it seemed like one thing after another was taking place. 

John MacArthur in his "The Book on Leadership", page 19, comments on this series of events in Acts 27: "Paul could see what was coming. He knew it was a risky and foolhardy plan. He had been in at least three shipwrecks before this (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25, which was written a few years prior to this episode), and he was obviously not eager to suffer through another one." 

We read Paul's words of warning to his shipmates in Acts 27:10 "and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” it was very clear that before things were going to get better, they were going to keep getting worse, as seen in Acts 27:13 where reference is made to a "moderate south wind."

The storm arrives

Then the "perfect storm" hit. The NASB calls this storm by name: "Euraquilo" which means a northeaster. The winds were of hurricane force and before long paul and the sailors would be in the middle of a two week long storm! Soon Paul and the 275 men on board were throwing off anything that could potentially weigh down their vessel: cargo, ships tackle and supplies (Acts 27:14-19). One thing I learned when living in Florida and having survived three hurricanes is that when a storm hits, what you deem precious and valuable turns into a very short list. Storms have a way of trimming our priorities down to the bare basics. The storm got so bad that in Acts 27:20 we read: "Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned."

The ray of light in the midst of the storm

No man, no fleet of ships and no reprieve could be found in the midst of the howling winds and mountains of waves. The storm greatly simplified the matter: only God could provide rescue. Scripture time and time again reminds us of God's control over storms. Psalm 89:9 reveals - "You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them." We see Jesus do that very thing when He gets into the boat with his disciples during a storm and stills the storm. (Mark 6:49-50) Psalm 93:4 states - "More than the sounds of many waters,Than the mighty breakers of the sea, The Lord on high is mighty." Without a doubt when Jesus told Lazarus to come forth from his tomb in John 11, or when he spoke the name of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb in John 20:16, His voice calmed the troubled waters. 

Though the storm was raging outside the vessel wherein Paul and the men were at, yet God ministered to Paul in a very special way during that storm. By the time we reach Acts 27:25 we see Paul saying: "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." How was Paul able to say such a thing in the midst of the storm? Find out tomorrow.... 

P1 Weathering Life's Storms - God is in charge over storms and meets us in them - Acts 27

Acts 27:20 "Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned."

Introduction:

Throughout the Bible we see many references to storms - both physical and otherwise. Who can forget the biggest storm of all time? The world-wide flood of Noah's day in Genesis 6-9? Certainly Job experienced his time of storms in Job 1-2. In Job 37:12-13 we are given the following insight about God's use of storms: “It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, that it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth. 13 “Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen." So we see several key points about storms thus far: 1). God is in charge over every storm. 2). Sometimes He will reveal His purposes of storms. 3). God meets His people in storms. 

David saw the glory of God being revealed in a storm in Psalm 29. Who can forget the relunctant prophet Jonah being swallowed by a large fish in the middle of a storm in his book. A century after Jonah's day we see another prophet Nahum writing his prophecy. The prophet Nahum wrote these words in Nahum 1:3 "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet."

The Old Testament is not the only part of the Bible where storms are mentioned.  During Jesus' ministry here on this earth, He experienced physical and emotional storms with His disciples. Mark 6:49-50 records an episode involving a storm: "But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished."

In Acts 27 we witness what is perhaps the most detailed account of a storm found anywhere in the Bible. The Apostle Paul has been tried before rulers and authorities, with the decision made that he was to appear before Caesar in Rome. Paul's journey would take him from Caesarea to Rome over a period of several months. In the course of that journey God willed for their to be a storm in Paul's life. 

Point of application:

As we think about how storms are presented in the scriptures and in our lives, how can you and I weather such storms? We can note the following main point: "God is in charge over storms and meets us in them". 

The one thing we can certainly note in both the Bible and life is this: you are either coming out of a storm or getting ready to ride into one.  I know many readers out there, including myself, understand the notion of "life's storms". The aim of these next several posts is to walk our way through Acts 27 and other scriptures like the ones above to better grasp how God is indeed in charge over storms and how He aims to meet us in them.

More tomorrow.... 

Give it all to Jesus - Colossians 3:1-14

Colossians 3:1  "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

Introduction:
Colossians 3 is an amazing chapter in God's Word. Paul is beginning to practically layout everything he doctrinally unfolded in Colossians 1-2 about the main theme of his letter: "Jesus is enough". We know Paul is talking about the Lordship of Jesus Christ based upon Colossians 3:1  "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Other cross references in Paul's letters indicate that when Christ is referred to as "seated at the right hand of God", Christ's supremacy or Lordship is in view. (Romans 14:9; Philippians 2:9-11) 

Point of application: As we explore Colossians 3:1-14 today, we will be centering around the following main point of application: Submitting to Christ's Lordship means giving it all to Jesus. So what exactly are you and I to give to Jesus Christ as we aim to surrender to His Lordship? Notice first of all....

Give your priorities to Jesus. 3:1-4

From the beginning of the believer's new birth in saving faith, Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord. (Romans 10:9) The way in which we live our lives ought to demonstrate our submission to Christ's Lordship.  Such manner of living is seen in how we prioritize our lives. Setting priorities is associated early on in the New Testament with Jesus Christ's Lordship. In explaining what is meant by His Lordship, Jesus explains in Luke 14:25-33 that in following Him, one must calculate the cost. Such calculation includes the realm of one's priorities. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." 

The mind is the place where the battlefield of the Christian life is won or loss.  Whoever is the general on the battlefield will determine who wins the battle. Oftentimes when we attempt to be that general, things breakdown. Scripture tells us that with regards to our mind, we must surrender all things important (i.e our priorities) to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)  

If we are to submit ourselves to Christ's Lordship, we must begin in the realm of our priorities. Paul plainly tells us that when we were born again in saving faith, we died to our old way of life. (Colossians 3:3). Simply put, we are not our own any longer, but we have been bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Christians are to continue to submit themselves in the realm of their priorities until Jesus comes. (Colossians 3:4) As a matter of fact, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:15 "and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." Thus as you and I aim to "give it all to Jesus", we do so by giving Him our priorities, but notice secondly....

Give your behavior to Jesus. Colossians 3:5-7
Submitting to Christ's Lordship means giving it all to Jesus. True Godly living must begin with the heart, being that from the heart flows the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23) We begin with the priorities, and now we consider the fruit of those priorities: our behaviors. 

The scriptures repeatedly urges the disciple of Jesus Christ to demonstrate their submission to Christ's Lordship by aggressively rejecting the "old way of life" and putting on "the new way of life" in Jesus Christ. Romans 6:12-14 states: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."  Certainly we are to be aggressive when it comes to our drives; 1 Corinthians 6:18 states plainly - "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body." The will of God for every Christian is sexual purity, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality."

The language used by Paul in Colossians 3:5-7 is that of "putting to death" the following things: immorality or unlawful sexual activity,  impurity or moral uncleanliness, unlawful passions, evil desire and greed or excess. The outcome of all these behaviors is replacing one's desire for God with a consuming desire for created things - which is idolatry. 

So you and I must give our priorities and behavior to Christ's Lordship. But notice another area...

Give your speech to Jesus. Colossians 3:8-11  
As we noted already, submitting to Christ's Lordship means giving it all to Jesus. When you give your priorities to Him, that necessarily leads to what ought to be a change in behavior. The scripture reveals that the overflow of the heart and behavior is manifested in the words we say. As Jesus Himself states that from the heart can proceed all kinds of evil things. (Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21) James tells us that the ability to control one's tongue is a sign of genuine and worthwhile religion. (James 1:26-27) Ephesians 4:31 states: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." 

As we read down through Colossians 3:8, why such the emphasis on the realm of our speech?  In times of pressure we discover very quickly the level to which we have surrendered to Christ's Lordship. Thus one's morality has to do with how they use their words as wells as how much they govern their drives. We know for example that out of control anger can never work forth the righteousness of God. (James 1:20). As anger escalates in our words, the heat of wrath accompanies it, followed by malice or the intent to hurt and then spreading lies about that person to other people. Scripture tells us to be aware of letting a root of bitterness sprouting up within us, lest we defile many. (Hebrews 12:15) 

The tongue is spoken of in scripture as containing the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). Is it no wonder Peter writes in 1 Peter 3:10 "For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days,Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit." In times of pressure we discover very quickly the level to which we have surrendered to Christ's Lordship. So as we noted already, submitting to Christ's Lordship means giving it all to Jesus: your priorities, your behavior, your speech and then finally....

Give your relationships to Jesus. Colossians 3:8, 12-14
Paul writes in Colossians 3:9 to "not lie to one another". Then we read two more "one another" (also called reciprocal commands, because we 'reciprocate' the action) commands in 3:13, namely "bearing with one another" and "forgiving one another". The former instructions of "putting off" and "putting on" affects not just our personal spiritual well-being, but also others around us. 

Colossians 3:12-13 speaks of the believer's own practical righteousness and then Colossians 3:14 states: "Beyond all these things....". Now here is the question: what could be "beyond" what Paul just wrote in Colossians 3:12-13. To even "bear with one another" or "forgive one another" is a pretty tall order. The love being spoken of here is not just mere human love, or even the love of Christians, but the love of God that can only be supplied by the seamless robe of Christ's righteousness. Only His righteousness can be deemed that "perfect bond" of unity. We ever rely upon His power, His Person, His grace to fulfill God's commands to us. (2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 3:7-9).  
When we individually have resolved to submit to Christ's Lordship, that attitude becomes a sweet expression in a local church body or group of saints. Christ's Lordship is everything in the Christian life, being that we are in effect saying: Jesus is enough! Jesus is all I need! I surrender all to Him!

Closing thoughts:
We have aimed today to communicate the need to "give it all to Jesus", which is another way of saying "surrender everything to Jesus' Lordship". Our main point of application was: submitting to Christ's Lordship means giving it all to Jesus. So what does it look like when you are giving it all to Jesus? We discovered four key points: give your priorities, give your behavior, give your speech and give your relationships to Jesus Christ. When we do these four things, we can honestly say then that we are giving it all to Jesus Christ and submitting under His Lordship in our life as His followers. 

An invitation to listen to the Growing Christian Resources podcast

Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (NKJV)

Your Personal invitation

Today's post is an invitation to readers to try out the new Growing Christian Resources Podcast (www.gcrpodcast.wordpress.com). Here are the links to the two most recent episodes:

http://gcrpodcast.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/pilot-podcast-defining-the-gospel-1-corinthians-151-5/

http://gcrpodcast.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/podcast-episode-2-understanding-gods-will/

Why am I starting to podcast? 

The reason for podcasting is to get the Word out. Whenever the Word of God is taught, preached or communicated, the Holy Spirit does His work of either converting sinners or strengthening saints. The vision for gcr podcast is the same as this blog: To equip readers with the practical, doctrinal and supernatural tools they need for daily life to the glory of God. The plan, Lord willing, is for the podcast is to be a weekly program, with new episodes and transcripts available every Friday. My prayer is that the podcast, in addition to this blog and the other blogsite (www.biblicalexegete.wordpress.com) will prove useful in advancing God's Kingdom to the glory of Jesus Christ.  

The wonderful book of Haggai

Haggai 1:5 "Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!"

Introduction to Haggai and his message:

What if you only had four months to turn the spiritual direction of an entire nation back to God? What would you do? What would you say? Toward the end of the Old Testament we witness a handful of prophets who were sent by God to His people who had returned back to Jerusalem from a seventy year exile in Babylon. 

As people began filtering back into the promised land, the preaching of God's Word became centralized under Ezra and the walls would become rebuilt under Nehemiah. As the people began getting their lives back, one thing was visibly neglected - the house of God. To solve this issue, God commissioned the prophet Haggai to urge two leaders: Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel the Governor of Jerusalem to work together and lead the people to build and brand new temple. 

The task was daunting, however God promised Haggai and the people that He would be with them every step of the way. John Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck write in the Bible Knowledge Commentary, page 1538, regarding Haggai's message: "God raised up Haggai the prophet to encourage the Jews in the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 5:1-2; Haggai 1:1), His task was to arouse the leaders and the people from their spiritual lethargy and to encourage them to continue working on the temple. The initial success of Haggai in his mission (cf 1;12-15) was supplemented by the continued efforts of Zechariah until the temple reconstruction was finished in 515 b.c." 

The key theme of Haggai

As one reads the short two chapter book (the second shortest Old Testament book, next to Obadiah), one word or idea is repeated five times: "consider". The following verses spell out this repeated theme:

Haggai 1:5 "Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!"

Haggai 1:7 "Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!"

Haggai 2:15 "But now, do consider from this day onward: before one stone was placed on another in the temple of the Lord"

Haggai 2:18 ‘Do consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month; from the day when the temple of the Lord was founded, consider:

The first two mentions have to do with the people and their priorities, their hearts and their obedience. The remaining mentions urge the people to consider how God was faithful and being with the people in the building of Solomon's temple nearly 500 years prior, and how God was going to see them through in the building of the new temple. 

Where we possibly see Christ in Haggai

One of the possible prophetic references to Jesus Christ is found in Haggai 2:7 "I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts." Interestingly enough some commentators are divided over whether or not Haggai 2:7 is ultimately referring to Christ or some other event. 

John Walvoord on page 315 of his 'Prophecy Knowledge Handbook' writes a fine example of those commentators favoring the passage predicting Christ's second advent: "In this prophecy God was predicting the far future where, before the second coming of Christ, the earth will be judged and Christ will return to take possession of the redeemed earth for the millennial kingdom. In this connection He will not only bless the temple that Israel was then building but also future temples, one to be built in the period preceeding the second coming of Christ, and the great temple described in Ezekiel 40-43 to be built after the second coming. God will glorify the millennial temple and will also glorify Himself in the temple that she (Jerusalem) was then building." 

Some closing thoughts

The aim of today's post was simply to do an overview of the little book of Haggai. Certainly all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable - with Haggai being no exception to that truth of 2 Timothy 3:16. The urgency to consider our ways, to consider God's faithfulness and to even consider Christ's second coming merits three reasons for encouraging further study of this wonder little book of the Bible.

Walk in the footsteps of Jesus

Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Colossians 1:24 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions."

The two scriptures above serve to summarize what was at the heart of God's calling on the life of the Apostle Paul.  From the moment he was encountered by the glorified Christ on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, Paul made it his life's ambition to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. (see Philippians 3:7-11) In Acts 21-26 we see a remarkable series of incidents in Paul's life, following his three missionary journeys wherein he mirrors the second half of Jesus' ministry up to the time of his crucifixion. For today's post we will briefly note those parallels and then conclude with some applications concerning what it means to walk in the foot steps of Jesus.

1. Both Jesus and Paul stated at Caesarea Philippi of their willingness to die in Jerusalem.

The Holy Spirit-directed statement of Peter made about Jesus being the Christ was uttered at Caesarea Philippi in Matthew 16. Shortly after that confession Jesus made the following statement in Matthew 16:21 "From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day." Remarkably the Apostle Paul was in the same city in Acts 21. Paul made the following statement about his willingness to die in Jerusalem in Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Jesus of course would end up dying on the cross outside the city and Paul would die years later following his statement in a Roman dungeon. The point is though that Paul expressed his willingness to die for the cause of the advancement of the Gospel, which at its heart features the willing work of salvation by Jesus Christ.

2. Both make a major trip to the temple in Jerusalem 

As you follow Jesus' journey from Matthew 16, we see Him making his way towards Jerusalem and eventually winding his way up to the temple in Jerusalem in Matthew 21. Paul too journeyed to the temple in Jerusalem in Acts 21:18-25.  Both were the objects of plots on their life, both were being watched by their enemies and both had enemies who were members of the Jewish ruling council.

3. Both were arrested by the Jewish and Roman Authorities to be tried and falsely accused.

Jesus was arrested and taken into custody by the Roman authorities and tried as a criminal in unjust Jewish and Roman trials. Paul too was arrested by Romans in Acts 21:28-40 and stood trial before Jewish and Roman officials in Acts 22:1-26:32. Both were falsely accused. Both were soundly rejected by their enemies, with the crowds shouting about Jesus: "crucify Him!" in Matthew 27:22 and Paul's enemies shouting "away with him!" in Acts 21:36.

Applications for considering what it means to follow in Jesus' footsteps

Whenever you consider just these three parallels, especially noting how Paul ended up going through the same places and having similar experiences to Jesus, you understand how he literally did follow in Jesus' footsteps.  The question remains: what about you and me? What does it mean to follow in Jesus' footsteps today? Why is it important?

1. Walking in Jesus steps is a command. 

John 13:15  For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 

2. Walking in Jesus steps will include suffering.

2 Timothy 3:12  Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

3. Walking in Jesus steps is beneficial

John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.