Today's Bible reading is the 21st chapter of the Book of Acts. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2021&version=NASB

It seems that each time I read the 21st chapter of the Book of Acts, I am drawn to the story of Agabus and his prophecy regarding the Apostle Paul. In the previous chapter we read that Paul was intending to go to Jerusalem and to arrive there by Pentecost. He had already had it revealed to him by the Spirit that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him wherever he went. Jerusalem would be no exception. In today's text we find that while on the journey, in Tyre there were disciples that were telling him "not to set foot in Jerusalem". As he drew closer to Jerusalem he arrived in Caesarea where we read that he stays at the home of Philip the evangelist, "one of the seven". Some days later the prophet Agabus came down from Judea to where Paul was staying and prophesied regarding Paul going to Jerusalem. He took Paul's belt and after binding his own hands and feet with it he said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says; 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" Following the prophesy of Agabus we see that those traveling with him and the people of Caesarea were begging him not to go as he intended. Paul responded to their pleas by telling them, "I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." There seems to be a sense that Paul had come full circle. When the church had began in Jerusalem, it was Paul (Saul) who had been instrumental in putting others to death "for the name of the Lord Jesus". And now after much ministry and growing in the Lord, he is prepared to not only be imprisoned for His name but to die for it. There is no indication that Paul had a desire to die for his faith but simply a readiness to do so and a Spirit instilled determination to fulfill his ministry of preaching the gospel message. We read further that they tried to convince him to change his mind but "he would not be persuaded". And so they "fell silent" and said, "The will of the Lord be done!" That seems to be the very thing that Paul had hoped and trusted in as well.