God had warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. However, despite numerous warnings, Paul decided to go.

What prompted this decision?

Paul wanted to distribute the collection, given by the Gentile Christians, to encourage the Jewish believers in Jerusalem.

But it all backfired. The Jerusalem church members were happy for the Gentile Christians to be free from the ceremonial law, but they themselves wanted to keep their traditions.

What was Paul’s reaction?

Unfortunately, Paul was swayed by their arguments and agreed to participate in the Jewish traditions of sacrificial atonement for sin. By so doing, he would compromise Christ’s work of being the all-sufficient atonement.

How did God react?

Some Jews from Asia Minor stirred up the crowd the day before the sacrifice. There was a riot; the Roman authorities arrested Paul and imprisoned him. Thus, God did not let Paul compromise the gospel by attending the Jewish ritual sacrifice.

What can we learn from this sad episode in Paul’s life?

Our failures will not disqualify us from God’s service and purposes. If we stumble and fall, our merciful God will lift us up and we can start afresh.