Would that we could live a life like Paul's. Acts 20

In yesterday's reading from Acts 19, under Paul many pagans turned to Christianity in Ephesus, formerly a center of pagan Diana (Aretemis) worship. Craftsmen and silversmiths, who manufactured idols and shrines, saw their profit diminishing. These craftsmen stirred up the pagans against Paul and his companions, but apparently nobody was hurt in the end.

Following that, Paul revisited the churches in Macedonia, then went to Greece, where he stayed for three months. As he was about to sail to Syria, some Jews laid wait for him, so he returned through Macedonia. In Troas he raised up a young man from the dead, who died after falling down from the third floor of a house where Christians were gathered. Paul departed to Assos, from where he sailed with other disciples to Miletus via Mitylene, Chios, Samos and Trogyllium.

In Miletus he met with the elders of the Church from Ephesus and in his moving speech he bid farewell to them, knowing he would not see them again. He charged them to feed the flock, and warned them that wolves would enter their congregation and men would speak perverse things to draw away disciples.

From Miletus they sailed to Coos, Rhodes, Patara and Tyre, Syria, where disciples inspired by the Holy Spirit warned Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. The disciples tried to persuade Paul not to go up to Jerusalem, but Paul answered that he is ready not only to be bound, but also to die for Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:22-24 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Could we do that knowing we faced such dire consequences. Paul's life is an inspiration. His pilgrimages alone are epic, but his unfailing testimony to the grace of God should be a lesson to us all.

Paul likely died at the hand of Roman Emperor Nero. He was, however, immortalized by Clement 1 in a letter to the Corinthians in which he admonishes them to “Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle”. Further stating:

"By reason of jealousy and strife Paul by his example pointed out the prize of patient endurance. After that he had been seven times in bonds, had been driven into exile, had been stoned, had preached in the East and in the West, he won the noble renown which was the reward of his faith, having taught righteousness unto the whole world and having reached the farthest bounds of the West; and when he had borne his testimony before the rulers, so he departed from the world and went unto the holy place, having been found a notable pattern of patient endurance."

Would that we could live such a life.