Acts 21-22  Paul willingly and deliberately heads to Jerusalem.  Every stop they made, people who loved him tried to warn him and stop him.  But, Paul was determined.  "I am prepared not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."  v13

In Jerusalem, the prophecies about what would happen to Paul, happened.  He was dragged from the temple, beaten by the crowd, and rescued by the Romans.  He was about to be beaten by the Romans when he let them know that he was a Roman citizen by birth.  

This is the  beginning of the end... Paul had known since the day that his eyes were opened that this is where he would end up.  Ananias told him, " The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One, and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard."   Paul was determined to do exactly what Jesus told him to do.  He ran the race and was faithful even through the most horrible of circumstances.

Paul had the great privilege of seeing the resurrected Jesus, hearing His voice, and knowing "everything that[ had] been laid out for [him]  to do.." (v11).  But, he also had a great responsibility and burden to preach the good news while enduring persecution, beatings, and worse.

Paul's words in II Corinthians 12:9-10 are a testimony to this, " And, He has said to me,' My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore , I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ many dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. " 

Father in heaven, may we be prepared to live for You and to die for You, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for every one of us.  We acknowledge that we are weak and we rejoice that You are strong!
Let Your power be seen in us, Your children, so that the name of Jesus Christ will be exalted. O Father, may we be found faithful, even as Your servant Paul was faithful to the end.  Fill us with Your Spirit today we ask, in Jesus' name and for His glory, Amen.