Paul's Race of Faith and Farewell — Acts 20:13-24 Daily Word

Paul’s unwavering faith journey toward Jerusalem teaches us about finishing God’s mission. Despite knowing hardships await, he presses forward with humility, showing us what it means to run the race of faith with purpose. Paul receives testimony from the Holy Spirit during his long journey toward Jerusalem. Though he knows that chains and hardships await him, Paul does not consider his life of any value to himself, as long as he can finish the mission he received from the Lord Jesus. Let us look at the example of faith we ought to learn from his life and his race of faith—a life marked by humility and tears as he bore witness to the gospel.

Paul’s Race of Faith and Farewell

[Scripture]

Acts 20:13-24 (ESV)

[13] But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. [14] And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. [15] And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. [16] For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. [17] Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. [18] And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, [19] serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; [20] how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, [21] testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. [22] And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, [23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. [24] But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:13-24, ESV)

[Daily Word]

Paul Pressing On to Jerusalem Without Delay

Paul pressed on urgently, without delay, to reach Jerusalem. From Troas, the disciples sailed ahead to Assos, while Paul traveled on foot to join them — partly because the Jews were constantly seeking to harm him. They then sailed by ship, passing through ports at four islands, until they arrived at Miletus. On this journey, Paul bypassed Ephesus in order to avoid being delayed by troubles there and to save as much time as possible.

God has a clear plan and purpose for those He calls. Because of this, our lives are not simply leisurely journeys. The life we live on this earth is like a race of faith — a constant striving to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to us. In this same spirit, Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem in order to carry out that mission. He wanted to steward his time wisely and follow the will of the Lord. For the more we devote the hours of our lives to the Lord, the more He makes that time count for something meaningful, and through that devotion, He brings forth abundant fruit.

Paul’s Farewell Address to the Elders of the Ephesian Church at Miletus

At Miletus, Paul delivers a farewell address to the elders of the church at Ephesus. This sermon is especially significant because, unlike his other addresses, it is spoken directly to believers. Notably, Paul does not introduce anything new in this message; rather, he calls his hearers to remember how he himself had ministered among them.

Wherever Paul went, he proclaimed and taught the whole counsel of God’s Word, holding nothing back. If something was a word people needed to hear — even if they did not want to hear it — he declared it without hesitation. Even when people resisted and were slow to receive it, he kept on proclaiming it to the end. The reason he went to such lengths is captured in the truth that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17) — for it is when the Word is received as life that growth and transformation take place.¹

Therefore, the church must hear, learn, proclaim, and teach the Word. It is through this that the fruit of faith is produced in the church.

The Race of Faith Run Through Suffering

In a particular way, Paul always had his destinations for proclaiming the gospel determined by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, he often did not even know what would happen to him in those places (v. 22). Yet one thing was certain: bonds and afflictions were always waiting for him. The same would be true in Jerusalem, where he was now headed.

And yet, Paul makes this confession: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)

The path of following the Lord is not always filled with favorable circumstances. In particular, those who live for the Lord will always encounter suffering. Yet what is important here is that such suffering is suffering we can endure, and that God always provides a way of escape — and that way is none other than prayer directed to the Lord.²

Therefore, what God expects of us is not to avoid suffering, but to pass through it. May it be our testimony — and I pray this in the name of the Lord — that we pass through every suffering we encounter by faith and prayer alone, and that through the thanksgiving and praise we offer to God, we experience the living presence of the Lord even today.

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com

Paul’s Race of Faith and Farewell — Acts 20:13-24 Daily Word