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. 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
We recently took a road trip to see our grandkids in Florida. We use the time on the road to talk, listen to audio books, and enjoy the scenery along the way. We went there to help with our grandkids and see our grandson’s band concert. It was quite a trip. And while we did go to help with grandkids, much of our trip was on the pleasure side of the equation.
How are you with road trips? Windshield time. Shunpikes. (Know what that is?). More important: where do you go? Why are you going? What awaits you there?
Luke’s travelogue of Paul’s journey recounts not only places, but people along the way. He connects with disciples in Tyre and stays there seven days. But then he’s away again, heading toward Jerusalem. There he will be arrested. At the news of his impending arrest, binding, and being handed over to the gentiles (echoes of Jesus’ treatment!), he will not be dissuaded. He says, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Our trips – even our upcoming trip to Tanzania, challenging as it may be for us – are nothing like his. We do not anticipate being bound and handed over to those who would persecute us. Most of us travel for pleasure. And while there is nothing wrong with that, being aware of potential divine appointments along our way can open up opportunities of blessing, witness, and acts of mercy that echo the great love of God for all people.
The next time you take a trip, think of Paul, who journeyed far and wide to bring the Gospel message to people in out of the way places. He faced hardship and even death to spread the word of grace and truth in Jesus that has spanned the globe and come to us as well. Thanks be to God for those road (and boat) trips!
David Bahn - Reflections 
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