I remember reading this passage for the first time about 3 years ago on an inflatable mattress on the third floor of building in Brooklyn, New York, and being very bored and just reading because it was in my reading plan. This is one of those places where I got tired of Acts because it seemed like a list of people and places and times, but if that's all you see you are missing out.
This whole passage is Paul going back to Jerusalem knowing that he will be imprisoned for the gospel and it seems to parallel Jesus' journey to Jerusalem to the cross so well. He knows what is going to happen, his friends and other believers beg him not to go, there is prophecy about the event, there is breakign of bread upstairs, and ultimately people saying "The Lord's will be done" (v.21:14).
Paul says "I consider my life worth nothing to me" (v.20:24).
Paul is not living for himself. He is living his life as God would have him live it. He is killing his own selfishness, and desires for comfort and long secure life, for the sake of all those who would hear, from his mouth or the elders he left behind or his disciples, the gospel of grace and salvation from God through Jesus' death and resurrection.
"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" (v.20:24)
"I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (v.21:13)
Seems like a similar attitude to Jesus. May our attitudes also reflect His as we seek for Him to help guide us and lead us in the way everlasting.
(Additional Reading: Philippians 2:5-11)
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