The Way
The Belt of Agabus
Hands and feet tied with a belt
Story
Paul and his companions sailed to Tyre, found the disciples there, and stayed seven days. Moved by the Spirit, the disciples in Tyre told Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. On the day they left, the disciples, with their wives and children, walked with them out of the city. They all knelt on the beach and prayed, and then said goodbye to one another.
In Caesarea they stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, who had been chosen with Stephen as one of the seven servants. After many days, the prophet Agabus, who had once foretold the famine, came down from Judea. Agabus took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: This is how the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.”
Paul's companions and the people there wept and begged him not to go. Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When Paul would not be persuaded, they stopped trying and said, “May the Lord's will be done.”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of the Lord and of Paul
The Holy Spirit says: This is how the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.
Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be tied up but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.
May the Lord's will be done.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Acts 21:1–16
Background
Philip the evangelist was one of the seven servants chosen by the church in Jerusalem, and he had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Agabus had earlier foretold a great famine over the whole world, and it came true in the days of Emperor Claudius.
Pause and Reflect
Are there times when I must follow the Lord's will even if people I love are against it?