Masters of Comfort
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.
Remember how Jesus used to send the disciples off so he could spend some time alone? Get a map out of the back of a study bible or find one online about Paul’s 3rd missionary journey.
He was up all night teaching, breaking bread, and raising sleepy dudes from the dead. The next day he sends his entourage on ahead of him while he travels to the next town over land. Did you see that? We don’t have any details about this. It could be that he slept in the back of a cart pulled by mules. It could be he just walked all day long. Either way, he was getting some alone time.
The sailing was kind of disturbing. It wasn’t a pleasure cruise in this region. You had to sail a little bit every day while the wind was strong, then sit in a port all morning and most of the day. The wind only picked up in the late afternoon.
They are in a rush to get to Jerusalem for the Passover, so he’s not stopping in places where he knows he’ll see a lot of friends and talk too long.
I had a roommate once that slept once a week (at least) on the floor of his room. He said he was training himself and his back to be able to sleep anywhere. He is now a very successful missionary in a country that you aren’t allowed to know about.
I met a guy in Southern Asia once that would shout and worship Jesus and you could hear him all of the way down the hallway at the hotel.
The hotel, where it was illegal to evangelize people. He had been in Chinese prisons. He wasn’t afraid of that hotel.
Sometimes evangelism calls for suffering. I’m not saying we’re going to go to jail, because seriously, we’re in God’s country. Or in Indiana.
But sometimes a sleepless night or a long walk might be called for.
The good news that Jesus has died for our sins and risen from the dead bears all kinds of fruit. Sometimes so much that you have to not visit somebody just to get the Gospel to where Jesus wants it.
Our comfort is worth giving up. Our Jesus’ Glory is worth attaining.