Acts 21:17-36

Be still: Lord, help me to remember and praise you for all you have done for me. Amen

Read: Acts 21:17-36

Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. (v19)

When they heard this, they praised God. (v20)

Encounter: When Paul gets to Jerusalem, he visits James who is leading the church there. When they meet, Paul tells James and the believers about all the good things that God has been doing – they praised God and encouraged each other.

In this passage it shows that tensions were growing in Jerusalem between the people ethnically Jewish and the believers from non-Jewish backgrounds. It eventually would lead to Paul’s arrest. 

Something which might go unnoticed is that Paul, although he has a big ministry and had planted many churches, when he gets to Jerusalem he submits and follows James’ lead.

Despite their different ministries they are united in serving Jesus. Paul didn’t let his ego or his experiences get in the way of their relationship. 

Apply: Paul considers his ministry to be God’s and not his own, so he is happy to submit to James. Sometimes we might get side-tracked building for ourselves rather than partnering with God in what he is doing. Paul, however, collaborated and submitted to other Christian leaders. Have you got good people that you can talk to about your faith journey, and people you can take advice from and submit to? We need each other to survive and thrive in this world. Let’s pray for wisdom for those that lead us, and to pray that we would grow deeper friendships with people who can uphold us.

Devote: God we pray for our leaders, give them wisdom. And please help my friendships to grow deeper so I can grow in faith.