Thoughts for the Day

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. When we found a ship bound for Phoenicia, we went on board and set sail. We came in sight of Cyprus; and leaving it on our left, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its cargo there. We looked up the disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we left and proceeded on our journey; and all of them, with wives and children, escorted us outside the city. There we knelt down on the beach and prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the believers and stayed with them for one day. The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. He came to us and took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.”’ When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’

After these days we got ready and started to go up to Jerusalem. Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came along and brought us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we look at the breadth and depth of Paul's journey to Jerusalem. Paul and his companions are in Miletus, now near the modern town of Balat, in Turkey. The quickest way is to find passage on a merchant ship. They sail to the island of Cos, then to Rhodes, and finally to Patara on the Anatolian cost of Turkey. All these locations were strategic port cities. The next ship is to take them to Phoenicia, a longer journey. An obvious port to call on would be Cyprus, but Paul does not want to be delayed by seeing Barnabas if he is to make Jerusalem in time for Pentecost so they pass it by, and arrive finally at Tyre (a place where Jesus had spent time with his disciples). On the last bit of the journey they sail from Tyre to Ptolemais, then to Caesarea, before finally heading inland to Jerusalem.

We should notice the involvement of the Holy Spirit in guiding Paul (marked in bold above). Paul has plenty of warning from God of what is likely to happen to him if he returns to Jerusalem. However he is resolute in his decision to continue, thus demonstrating his courage and his trust in the Lord Jesus in following the path ahead, even in the face of adversity.

Lastly we should notice the wrap-around companionship that supports him from other believers. As Ecclesiastes 4.9-10 says: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." As Christians we too are encouraged to support and walk alongside one another.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we learn to turn to You for guidance
in our daily life,
following Your example
of how to navigate the ways of the world,
even though it may bring us into opposition
with others.
May we find strength from the Christian community,
and learn to trust in You as we face our future.
Amen.