Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me”, and in chapter twenty and verse twenty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself” where we read:
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
The verse begins, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, ...” Luke began with the words, “but none of these things move me” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover not any of the words concerning afflictions and bonds make me, Paul, produce or perform”, “neither count I my life” or “no, and not in any way do I, Paul, reckon, own, possess or hold my, Paul's, living, breathing and the vital force which animates the body” “dear to myself” which means “my own self as precious, held in honor, esteemed and especially of great price” . Luke shared how “Paul” did not allow any of the “words of warning” to make him choose differently than to go to “Jerusalem”, and they did make him think his own personal value was precious and of great price.
The verse goes on to say, “... so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, ...” Luke continued with the words, “so that I might finish” which means “like and even as I, Paul, will make perfect, complete, accomplished and fulfilled” “my course with joy” or “my, Paul's, race or career having calm delight and exceeding gladness”, “and the ministry” which means “and the service and office”, “which I have received” or “that I, Paul, have taken up, carried, claimed and procured” “of the Lord Jesus” which means “from the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title to God the Messiah named Jesus which means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “Ephesian church elders” that he desired to “complete” his “race or career” with “exceeding gladness”, and he wanted to “finish” the “service” given to him by the “Lord Jesus” Himself.
Finally the verse says, “... to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Luke ended this verse with the words, “to testify the gospel” or “to bare witness of, proclaim, declare, attest and solemnly affirm the good news” “of the grace of God” which means “pertaining to the joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “elders” in the church of “Ephesus” that the “ministry or service” given to him by the “Lord Jesus” was to “bear witness” of the “good news” of the “unmerited favor” which belongs to “God”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” did not esteem his life “precious or valuable” because he was commissioned by the “Lord Jesus” to spread “God's good news” of salvation and “unmerited favor”, and he desired to complete the ministry given to him by Jesus Himself. God loves people, and He wants everyone to know that He is willing to forgive their sins because His Son Jesus died on the cross in their place. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord” (See Romans 6:23), and anyone who yields their life to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words not only admire the commission of “Paul” but also to submit to Jesus and allow God to “commission” them to whatever “service” He has in mind.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “I know that you all … shall see my face no more”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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