Acts 21:1-6

                                                                     Acts 21:1-6

And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

 

The work of missions is not only about preaching and teaching; it requires logistics and most of all relationships.  Travel is simply a part of taking the Gospel to the nations.  Considering the effort that travel required in Paul’s day, it is impressive to see how much territory he was able to cover.  It is also impressive to see that in all the places he went, there were believers who would gladly receive him and his companions who genuinely cared about him.  Going places and gathering people are at the heartbeat of ministry.

 

WANDERINGS: It is clear that Paul could have benefited from a travel agent.  In each place he stopped he had to look for a ship that was headed in the general direction of Jerusalem.  There were no “direct sails” from Ephesus to Jerusalem.  Ships would often stop in places for significant periods of time to load, unload, and make repairs.  Travelers would go as far as they could as we think of hitchhikers today.  This was not as easy way to live.  Traveling has been facilitated in today’s world that allows us to do in hours what would have taken months for Paul to accomplish.  This is good and bad. Good, because we can get from point A to point Z very quickly.  Bad, because we skip over points B - Y in the process.  The work of the mission is always going to entail mobility.  We are always more comfortable at home, but our call is to reach the nations not be comfortable.

 

WARNINGS: It is really interesting that Paul arrives in Tyre and has some time as the ship unloads, so he goes to seek out the followers of Christ.  There is a brotherhood in the body of Christ that is precious. The hospitality shown in that culture is something I believe we should all learn to emulate.  Sharing our homes and food with brothers and sisters in Christ as well as strangers is a real part of what following Christ should be about.  However, it is interesting that these brothers warn Paul to not go to Jerusalem.  The text said that they were in the Spirit while giving this warning.  It is hard to explain how Paul felt led of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem and others led by the same Spirit told him not to go.  Here is what I think I think is going on.  The Spirit revealed to both Paul and these men the exact same thing: Paul would suffer greatly by going to Jerusalem.  Paul’s response was: “bring it on.” Others responded by saying: “don’t go.”  It is often easier for the person who is facing the suffering to understand the importance of it than those who watch someone else suffer. Warnings about facing hardship should be heard but not necessarily heeded.  Most major advances of the Gospel require suffering.

 

WELL-WISHING: Clearly Paul decided to ignore the warnings of the disciples.  However, this did not break their fellowship.  Their love continued to be strong, and they longed to have as much time together as possible.  Paul did not condemn them as “baby Christians.” They did not condemn Paul of having a martyr complex.  They could respect, appreciate, love and work with one another even though they had a difference of opinion.  If only all disagreements between believers today could end with a prayer meeting on a beach.  As long as our mission is the same: the glory of God and reaching the nations; we can have differences of opinion on how to best accomplish that mission while still supporting one another in prayer. 

 

APPLICATION: Next time you travel, take time along the way to look for an opportunity to meet someone and minister to them.  Host people in your home, take time to get to know them and what their goals and needs might be.  Care enough about others to be courageous enough to warn them about things that concern you. When you disagree with someone, as long as your missions are the same, strive to end your time together blessing them and praying for them as you go your separate ways. 

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