Paul’s Last Journey to Jerusalem
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whom the very mention of his name would excite to madness. He
was in the city which had been the murderer of the prophets, which
had rejected and slain the Son of God, and over which now hung the
threatenings of divine wrath. Remembering how bitter had been his
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own prejudice against the followers of Christ, he felt the deepest pity
for his deluded countrymen. And yet how little hope could he feel that
he would be able to benefit them! The same blind wrath which had
once burned in his own heart, was now with untold power kindling the
hearts of a whole nation against him.
And he could not count upon the sympathy and support of even his
own brethren in the faith. The unconverted Jews who had so closely
followed upon his track, had not been slow to circulate the most unfa-
vorable reports at Jerusalem, both personally and by letter, concerning
him and his work, and some, even of the apostles and elders, had
received these reports as truth, making no attempt to contradict them,
and manifesting no desire to harmonize with him. Yet in the midst of
discouragements, the apostle was not in despair. He trusted that the
Voice which had spoken to his own heart would yet speak to the hearts
of his countrymen, and that the Master whom his fellow-disciples
loved and served would yet unite their hearts with his in the one work
of the gospel.
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