²²”And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, ²³except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. ²⁴But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

The man with a mission, Paul knows some of what is ahead of him; he was warned repeatedly during the remainder of his trip to Jerusalem about his coming suffering. But he will not be assuaged. He has a goal; no obstacle or even the pain of physical persecution can stop him.

We see the acts of the Spirit revealed clearly in this passage. Paul recognizes that the Holy Spirit is the one driving him to his fate, not personal ambition or desire for martyrdom. Needlessly dying for the sake of building a legacy is the farthest thing from his mind. He is “bound” by the Spirit. While usually the Lord does not reveal to us ahead of time the dire circumstances we will face, here we find the Spirit taking Paul into His confidence. Like the Lord revealing to Abraham, His friend, about the destruction that was coming to Sodom where his nephew and family lived, so also the Lord reveals to His bondservant, Paul, the suffering he is about to experience. Paul has come a long way in his devoted service to the Lord—not only is he taken into God’s confidence about his personal future, but he also embraces his fate intensely.

Paul now tells the Ephesian elders that behind it all is his driving motivation to complete his earthly assignment, finish the race, fight the good fight. As he wrote to the Philippians:

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus . . . I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:12,14)

Imagine the Ephesian elders hearing Paul talk like this. All spiritual ministry comes back to having the right motivation. They had seen Paul up close for over three years, but now he puts it succinctly as a master teacher. He modeled it and now he articulates it. His words carry integrity and passion. Such a life is infectious.

Implied in his words, Paul knows he cannot let up on his convictions. He will not and cannot cruise into a comfortable retirement, but he will continue to give it everything he has and press on until the very end.

Lord, I want to live my life fully committed to You until You take me home.