Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul was to be sent to Rome after he defended himself for charges brought against him by the Jewish religious leaders, and he shared, “it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse three of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself” where we read:
And the next day we touched at Sidon.
And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
The verse begins, “And the next day we touched at Sidon.” Luke began with the words, “and the next day” which means “and the following sunrise to sunset” “we touched at Sidon” or “we, Luke, Paul and the others traveling with them, brought the vessel from deep water to the land within the city of Sidon or Zidon which was an ancient and wealthy city of Phoenicia, on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, less than 20 miles (30 km) north of Tyre”. Luke shared how the following day after launching from “Adramyttium”, he, Paul and the others sailing with them brought the ship to land at the city of “Sidon”.
The verse goes on to say, “And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.” Luke continued with the words, “and Julius” whose name means “soft-haired” and was “ the centurion of "Augustus Band", to whose charge Paul was delivered when he was sent prisoner from Caesarea to Rome” “courteously entreated Paul” or “acted humanely and kindly toward Paul whose name means small or little”, “and gave him liberty” which means “and granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied to Paul permission, allowance and leave” “to go unto his friends” or “to travel, depart and journey to his, Paul's, associates and companions” “to refresh himself” which means “to care and give kind attention to his own self”. Luke shared how “Julius”, who was in charge of the sailing vessel, allowed “Paul” to travel to see his companions who served, cared for and attended to him.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn more about the travels of the ship sailing to “Rome”. Along the way, they landed the ship at “Sidon” where the centurion “Julius” who was overseeing the voyage permitted “Paul” to be free to visit his companions and associates there. This “refreshed” “Paul's” spirit, and we can imagine with all he endured and was going to encounter, this was a great time for him. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they surrender to Him, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and use them in His Kingdom to share His gospel with others. At times, they may be weary, and a time of refreshment with fellow believers and companions revives the soul. Those who are wise will study these travels of “Paul” and understand God's resolve to care for him and use him as his witness in His Kingdom.
Next time Luke shares, “when we had launched from there, we sailed under Cyprus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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