(AN: We are now coming towards the conclusion of Paul's part in this story. I think I can have six more chapters before our secondary character reemerges.)

Paul's Farewell

After the eventful night in Troy, Lucas, along with Timothy, Demas and some of the others, left in the morning and slept all night on the ship-voyage to Assos. Several days later Paul joined them journeyed to Chios and Samos before landing on Miletus.

They would not be stopping at Ephesus, despite the fact that, he heard, many of the others were gathering thither for the burial of Miriam, the mother of Jesus. He was sad to hear that she was dead, since she had been, as he heard, a great help to the believers in Ephesus.

Instead, he sent an envoy to call the elders of Ephesus to come to him at Miletus. He did not say why, but reminded them that their presence was important. After many days, John and the others came to Miletus and visited Paul and his companions in their humble house. During dinner, Paul, who ate nothing, stood up and spoke to them.

"Brothers," he said. "It's been a long time. You remember how I lived when I was with you, practically the whole time I was on the continent. I served the LORD to the best of my ability, despite the plots from my enemies among my own people, and I have not hesitated to preach anything that might be helpful to you.

"Now, it seems, the Spirit is leading me back to Jerusalem. I do not know what will happen to me when I arrive. Though..." He sighed. "I have been informed, by the Spirit of Holiness, that, in every city, bonds and afflictions await me, some I have already faced."

"Have you no care for your own life?" one asked.

"No," Paul shook his head. "My only aim is to finish the race and complete this task of testifying to the good news of God's grace given to me by our LORD Jesus."

Many eyes were filled with tears as he spoke next.

"I doubt I will ever see any of you again," Paul said, his own voice breaking up. "I tell you now that I have proclaimed to you the whole will of God, and am therefore freed of your blood. Watch over yourselves, and your flock, which the Spirit has made you shepherds over. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He has bought and paid for with His own blood."

"Yes, Paul," John nodded tearfully.

"But beware," he continued. "After I am gone, wolves in sheep's clothing shall come among you and shall not spare the flock. Even you elders must be wary, for some among you shall arise and distort the truth so that many will follow after you. Be on your guard, my brothers, and remember that, for three years, I have prayed and abjured you night and day with many tears."

He sobbed quietly, as did all the others. He then walked toward them and placed his hands upon them, starting first with John.

"I commit you all to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified. I have never coveted anyone's gold, silver or clothing: you know that I have always supplied the needs of I and my fellows by the works of my own two hands. I hope that, by this, I have shown you that we must help the weak. As Jesus Himself said: 'It is better to give than to receive.'"

All then broke down in tears, whether open or quietly. Once he had said this, he knelt down with them and prayed.

It would be the last time that Paul and John would ever be together.

All portents lead towards something terrible happening on the way to Jerusalem. The grim, sorrowful group of the elders of Ephesus who saw Paul to his boat were evidence enough of that. But as soon as they landed in Tyre, the members of the Cult of the Way suddenly came out to meet him, one by one, urging him not to go on to Jerusalem. Even the seven daughters of Philip the Deacon came before him, all prophesying the same thing.

Do not go to Jerusalem.

On their last day, Paul, Lucas, Timothy and Demas were making plans for the last journey by foot to Jerusalem. They heard that Mnason, Barnabas' old friend from Cyprus, was still alive and kept a house on the road to Jerusalem.

"Shall we stay there?" Paul asked.

"Yes," Lucas nodded. "I would be very grateful of his hospitality."

"As would we all," Timothy added.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Paul told Demas to receive the visitor. Unfortunately, once the door was open, they saw that it was another crowd of mournful people, weeping for Paul as if he were on his way to his funeral. In front of them was an old man a head taller than Paul.

"My name is Agabus," the old man said. "The Ruach HaKodesh has spoken that I must deliver a message to you, Paul of Tarsus."

"What is this message?" Paul asked.

"First, give me your belt." Agabus requested. Paul conceded, but as he was about to put it in the old man's hands, Agabus sat down upon the ground, his hands laid across his ankles.

"Tie my feet and hands together," Agabus continued. "It is part of the message."

Paul nodded, then began to tie the belt around the old man's wrists and ankles. Suddenly tears came to his eyes as he realized what was happening.

"The Ruach HaKodesh has told me to tell you," Agabus concluded. "'If you go to Jerusalem, the rabbis and the Pharisees will tie you by your hands and feet and deliver you to the Romans.'"

At this, many remembered how Joshua the Messiah, or Jesus the Christ, as the Greeks knew him, had died and they also wept. Even Lucas and Timothy wept openly.

"Please, please, stop," Paul said, as those outside added their voices. "You are like to break my heart, for you must know that I love each and every one of you."

"Then do not go through with this," Lucas interjected. "There's still so much more to be done! They say there are lands north-west of Rome, and a sea and another world far in the north, where people have never even heard of HaAbba, much less the Messiah!"

Paul sighed, then turned to the others. "Please, why do you weep? I am ready at this moment, not only to be bound, but to die in Jerusalem for the name of our LORD Joshua the Messiah."

At this, Agabus nodded. "The will of HaShem be done." He then looked down at his hands and feet and asked one of them to remove the bonds.

-|-~-|-O-|-~-|-

They encountered no more resistance on the road from Tyre to Jerusalem. Even Mnason said nothing as he led them into his house for the night. After they had supped, he showed them up to their rooms, where they all slept soundly: all except for Paul.

"LORD, please," he sighed wearily. "I'm an old man. I don't know how much more I can take. Even the thought of what is to come..." He shuddered. "Please, let me be spirited away from here to Rome! I cannot bear the cup to come!"

Silence.

"'My grace is sufficient,'" he repeated. "Is that it? Am I to endure endless punishments for Your name? My-My whole life I have lived in dread of this moment, when You showed it to me in Damascus! And for what? For humility? How is it humility, that I've been beaten, bludgeoned, whipped and persecuted for almost thirty years...for You?"

Still the answer was the same, just as it had been every time he was faced with adversity. Though beaten and mangled, though bloodied and sickly, the Ruach HaKodesh, the Spirit of Holiness, gave him just enough strength to go forward one step at a time, even if only just one. At last, though, he realized the truth. His own power was nothing compared to that of the whole world, which, for almost thirty years, had opposed him. In the end...

My grace is sufficient for thee.

(AN: As you can see, I'm building up for what is to come in the next several chapters. HaAbba might not be accurate, but since HaShem means "the Name", I assumed that HaAbba could mean "the Father". If any know how to say it rightly, that would be of great help.)