Acts 21:1-3 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course to Coos… I. THE SOUL'S ITINERARY. The daily journeying of this company of God's folk was a matter for record. 1. The details give a good test of the authenticity of the narrative. One soon trips in many and complicated details unless he is speaking the truth. Now the writer of the Acts is never found tripping even amid the most varied incidents. This journey has often been gone over, and the results verify the accuracy of St. Luke's account. There are those who belittle (as there are also those who exaggerate) the value of geographical, historical, archaeological and other studies that tend to uncover the social, political, and natural environments of Biblical peoples. But in such studies, as in natural history, the most trifling things may prove vastly important as necessary links in a chain of evidence. If the Divine Spirit thought it worth while to record them, it is worth our while to look into them. It will be well if, like St. Luke, we keep our eyes open as we go through life, and learn the art of telling what we see. 2. The soul's itinerary through the world is a matter of record before God and men. Perhaps it did not occur to any in that company that the incidents of their trip would be conned by millions. Yet such was the purpose of God. Is it not somewhat so with every man's life journey? (1) There is much comfort in this thought (Psalm 37:23, 24; Genesis 28:15). The consciousness of this truth brings one very near to God, and every spot may be a "Bethel." The best of men are exposed to misunderstanding, but there is comfort in an appeal from the false record of one's pilgrimage made by his fellows, to the true, full itinerary kept in heaven (Job 19:21-27; Malachi 3:16). (2) There is also admonition. "Thou God seest me!" (Psalm 139:2, 3). Life is a great responsibility when we remember that God above records the soul's itinerary through life. The lives of men below keep the record too, whether for good or ill. May Heaven help us so to go over life's pilgrimage that every milestone may be for ourselves and others an "Ebenezer" — a stone of helping! II. A STORY OF BROTHERLY LOVE AND SYMPATHY. "After we were gotten from them" means having been torn from them — a painful and reluctant separation. The reference is to Acts 20:37. A somewhat similar scene occurred at Tyre, where the company found "disciples." Such demonstrations must have cheered the heart of Paul and given him new strength. Men are so used to turn to the Christian minister for comfort and sympathy that they often forget that he needs the words of good cheer. Note that the "children" of Tyre had part in these demonstrations. Teach the young to love and reverence those who are their spiritual guides. How pleasant to contrast the conduct of these Christian children with that of the young roughs who insulted Elisha. The same honour and sympathy greeted Paul at every stopping place until the hospitable home of Philip received him. No doubt the four daughters were quite as ready for the ministry of home duties as for the public work of the Church. How much more of Divine sweetening the world would have if the Church would return to this simple and primitive life! III. SUBMISSION TO GOD. The stay at Philip's house was marked by the advent of a prophet — Agabus (see Acts 11:27-30), who was deeply imbued with the spirit of the Old Testament prophets, and used the symbolical method so commonly practised by them. Then followed the beseeching remonstrance which brought out that noble utterance, "I am ready not to be bound only," etc. Paul knew but one law — the will of God. He would do his duty, even though bonds and death awaited him. Would that all Christians might catch this spirit of the great apostle! Luther had it when, being warned not to go to the Diet of Worms, he made the memorable answer, "Even should there be as many devils in Worms as tiles on the housetops, still I would enter it!" So, again, when his friends said, "They will burn you as they did John Huss," he replied, "Though they should kindle a fire all the way from Worms to Wittemberg, the flames of which reached to heaven, I would walk through it in the name of the Lord Jesus." "The will of the Lord be done!" Thus at last reluctant friends exclaimed. They, too, learned the lesson of submission. They gave their friend up to Him who called to the sacrifice. Those who thus give up their friends to the path of self-sacrifice have often the harder lot. Women who have given husbands and sons to their country's service in the hour of need have felt a keener pain than those who wrought and marched and fought. The parents of those who go far hence unto the Gentiles have not unfrequently felt profounder grief than the devoted missionaries themselves. (H. C. McCook, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: |
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