October 15
Bible Reading: Acts 21:7-15
Acts 21:11-12, “And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.”
From his conversion, Paul was called to bear the name of Jesus and suffer for his sake (Acts 9:15-16). He received reaffirmation of that calling on many occasions, including here by Agabus. The Spirit was saying one thing through Abagus, whereas Paul’s friends were saying something else. What was Paul to do? What did he do?
During the English Reformation, Thomas Bilney, a Cambridge student, underwent a profound conversion to Christ after reading, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” This revelation opened his eyes to the truth that salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Christ, and he became a powerful advocate for the Christian faith. However, the Counter-Reformation led to severe backlash, resulting in the execution of many reformers. Bilney was imprisoned and faced the choice to recant or be burned at the stake. Friends urged him to recant, and just two days before his execution, he felt immense internal conflict. Although he believed he was meant to die for his faith, he ultimately rationalized a compromise: “I will preserve my life in order to dedicate it to the Lord.” This decision led to guilt and confusion, causing him to stray from his beliefs. Consumed by grief, he collapsed in the arms of his friends, who recognized their part in his decline.
After several years of apparent apostasy, Bilney returned to his faith and became a fervent voice for Christ again. When arrested a second time, he stood firm. The night before his execution, he held his hand over a burning lamp, enduring the pain until he burned his finger to the joint. He declared, “When the flames consume me, I shall not feel them. This body may suffer, but it will lead to unspeakable joy.” The next day, Bilney descended into Lollard’s Pit, where many martyrs had perished. After praying, he embraced the stake and kissed it.
What can we learn from Bilney’s journey? His friends had led him astray in a moment of vulnerability. But like Paul, he ultimately determined to follow the will of God no matter where that led. When someone is determined to follow the will of God, it is important not to get in the way.
When someone is determined to follow the will of God, it is important not to get in the way.
MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE
Must Jesus bear the cross alone
And all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for ev’ry one,
And there’s a cross for me.
The consecrated cross I’ll bear
Till death shall set me free,
And then go home my crown to wear,
For there’s a crown for me.
Upon the crystal pavement, down
At Jesus’ pierced feet,
Joyful, I’ll cast my golden crown
And His dear name repeat.
O precious cross! O glorious crown!
O resurrection day!
Ye angels, from the stars come down
And bear my soul away.
LookingtoJesus 