Paul’s Last Journey to Jerusalem
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of the churches and the interests of the gospel work in other fields,
were subjects of earnest, anxious thought, and he took advantage of
this special opportunity to seek God for strength and guidance.
As the travelers sailed southward from Assos, they passed the city
of Ephesus, so long the scene of the apostle’s labors. Paul had greatly
desired to visit the church there, for he had important instruction and
counsel to give them. But upon consideration he determined to hasten
on, for he desired, “if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the
Day of Pentecost.” On arriving at Miletus, however, about thirty miles
from Ephesus, he learned that it might be possible to communicate
with the church before the ship should sail. He therefore immediately
sent a message to the elders, urging them to hasten to Miletus, that he
might see them before continuing his journey.
In answer to his call they came, and he spoke to them strong,
touching words of admonition and farewell. “Ye know,” he said, “from
the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with
you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with
many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of
the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,
but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to
house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance
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toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul had ever exalted the divine law. He had shown that in the
law there is no power to save men from the penalty of disobedience.
Wrongdoers must repent of their sins and humble themselves before
God, whose just wrath they have incurred by breaking His law, and
they must also exercise faith in the blood of Christ as their only means
of pardon. The Son of God had died as their sacrifice and had ascended
to heaven to stand before the Father as their advocate. By repentance
and faith they might be freed from the condemnation of sin and through
the grace of Christ be enabled henceforth to render obedience to the
law of God.
“And now, behold,” Paul continued, “I go bound in the spirit unto
Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save
that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions abide me. 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