In Acts 21, Paul is traveling to Jerusalem and ultimately to his death. Along the way, we get a glimpse of what the Christian views of both life and death are. First, the Christian view of life is not "self-preservation at all costs." Rather, the Christian view of life is "Christ-exaltation at all costs." Jesus is the supreme value in all of existence and the only mediator between God and man. He is worthy to be exalted in action, reaction, and with words over all the earth. Though it seems it would have been perfectly fine not to go to Jerusalem, Paul goes knowing he will die because he is most concerned with lifting up Jesus. No matter how hard it may be for him personally, Paul's aim was to glorify Jesus. Second, the Christian view of death is first and foremost that it is an enemy. We were not originally built to die. Death is not a natural part of life, but a part of the curse God subjected the earth to because our our sin and rebellion against Him. For the Christian, however, death has been defanged and becomes a dear friend. Because Jesus lived for our righteousness, died for our sin, and arose from the grave, death's teeth have been knocked out. Outside of Jesus, death will drag all to judgement, where everyone will pay for their sins in hell forever. Yet, for all who trust Jesus as Savior and King, death will bring them swiftly to His arms, the One we were built for. This why Paul was able to, despite his friends trying to persuade him otherwise, keep his eyes on Jesus and preaching the gospel, no matter the cost.