The Road to Rome: First to Jerusalem

 Prayer should be a constant in a Christian’s life. Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”  And, in Philippians 4:6, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.”  Also, to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 6:18, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”  As Paul commanded the church to pray, he prayed constantly. In Luke’s detailed events as Paul traveled to Jerusalem, he writes of Paul in constant prayer.

After telling the church at Ephesus that he will not see them again face to face, ‘he kneeled, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they will see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.” (Acts 20:36-38) Prayer. He taught them to pray. Here in these verses, the last thing Paul shares with them is a prayer before boarding a ship to start his journey to Jerusalem.

Paul, Luke, and his other traveling companions boarded a ship which took them to Coos, Rhodes, and Patara. In Patara, they find a ship sailing towards Phenicia. This ship passed by Cyprus sailing towards Syria to the port of Tyre. As the ship had cargo to be unloaded at the port, they spend seven days in Tyre with disciples. The disciples in Tyre ‘said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. After those seven days were accomplished, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled on the shore and prayed.’ (Acts 21:4,5) 

Can’t you see this image? Paul visiting with Christians in Tyre while they wait for the ship’s cargo to be unloaded. While in the Spirit, they warn Paul of coming trouble in Jerusalem. They gather with men, women, and children. It had to be a time of joy as they had Paul with them. Also, a time of sadness as they sensed that this will be the last time they will see Paul, the preacher to the Gentiles. After seven days, they gather to pray on the shore before Paul enters the ship to continue his journey. Men, women, and children with Paul and others praying together on the beach with the sun rising over them. The waves gently rolling to shore while they gather to pray on knees. With only the rhythm of the waves and prayers of the saints being lifted to God. Then, they shared goodbyes and watched as the ship sailed away knowing they will never see their dear missionary friend.

The ship sailed from the port of Tyre sailing to the port of Ptolemais. In Ptolemais, they ‘saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.’ (Acts 21:7) They departed the next day for Caesarea. They enter the house of Philip the evangelist and stay with him. This is the same Philip in chapter 5 of Acts; he is one of the seven chosen to assist with the ministry in Jerusalem along with Stephen. Agabus, a prophet from Judaea, came to the house where Paul was staying. Agabus took Paul’s girdle binding it to his hands and feet, and said, “The Holy Ghost said this. So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” (Acts 21:11) When they heard these words, they asked Paul to not go to Jerusalem. Yet, Paul could not be persuaded to stay.

When they could not persuade Paul to not go to Jerusalem, they all continuously said, “The will of the Lord be done.”  And, after seven days, they ‘took up their carriages and went up to Jerusalem.  Some disciples of Caesarea traveled with them along with an old disciple from Cyprus, Mnason.’ (16)

Now, I imagine the last part of the journey to Jerusalem was somber. Paul knew what was to come. He was warned by fellow men and women of the faith that he would be arrested in Jerusalem. Paul chose to obey and continue to Jerusalem. He had to complete his journey. As they traveled, they repeated the prayer, “The will of the Lord be done.”  This is reminder of how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, the prayer includes ‘your will be done.’  Yet, with persecution to come, Paul moved forward acknowledging “God’s will be done.”  Paul prayed.

Note the many times Paul stopped to pray. He purposely made time to pray alone. He prayed with the members of the church. He prayed with the Gentiles on a beach. In weeks to come, Paul will pray while in chains. He will pray in a storm on the high seas. Prayer. Prayer draws us closer to God. It is through prayer we confess our sins, ask for healing, seek God’s wisdom, and give praises of thanksgiving.