DAY EIGHTY:
The Trip to Rome
Paul went on three missionary journeys, planting churches throughout the Roman provinces in present-day Turkey and Greece. Now there's one more journey he must make.
Everyone warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem because of the great hatred of his opponents. Paul knew that as well as anyone, but he also knew God's call. He went, and trouble was not long in coming. A riot broke out in the Temple and the Romans had to rescue him from being stoned. The Roman Tribune held a hearing. Paul was a Roman citizen so the Tribune had to be careful to protect Paul's rights. When an assassination plot came to light the Tribune ordered that Paul be taken to Caesarea in the middle of the night under heavy guard. He remained in custody there for two years. When Governor Festus wanted to send Paul back to Jerusalem to be tried before the Sanhedrin, Paul said "I appeal to Caesar." It was a time-honored right of any Roman citizen accused of a capital crime to appeal directly to Caesar. This was Paul's ticket to Rome, where God had told him he would bear witness.
The day came when Paul and a few other prisoners got onto a ship headed for Rome. They were in the custody of a Centurion named Julius and the guard under his command. This was not a Roman naval vessel but rather a cargo ship. They would not go directly to Rome but had to make several stops along the way. Then they had to transfer to another ship that would take them the rest of the way. By that time it was late fall (after the Day of Atonement) and the Mediterranean Sea was prone to storms until the next spring. The wind was already whipping up, and they had to sail under Crete for shelter. They arrived at a little port called Fair Haven and Paul told the Centurion it would be a good idea to spend the winter there. The Centurion wanted to reach a more suitable port further up the coast and they set out again.
They soon found themselves caught in a massive storm that just wouldn't let up! They threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship, and later threw over the ship's tackle as well. Without clear skies to see the stars the captain had no idea where they were. It looked like they'd become victims of the sea. Paul said "I told you so!" But he also said that the Lord assured him that they would all survive. The ship ran aground on the Island of Malta but everyone was able to reach land safely. The locals were very hospitable and cared for their needs. While gathering sticks for a fire Paul was bitten by a viper, the same deadly snake that Cleopatra used to commit suicide. Surely Paul would die! But he didn't even show any ill effects!
When spring came they resumed the journey. They found a ship that was headed to Rome. After a few stops along the coast they landed at a port south of Rome and walked the rest of the way. The Christians at Rome heard that he was coming and came out to walk with him. They had received a letter from him and were eager to meet him.
Paul's hearing before Caesar would not come quickly. The infamous Nero was on the throne and he had better things to do than to listen to some preacher. Paul was allowed the privilege of house arrest as long as he could pay for it. That wasn't a problem- the Roman Christians supported him generously. He was able to rent a house, provide for food and other necessities and pay the expenses for a guard to be chained to him day and night. People were free to visit and Paul had plenty of time for letter-writing.
This is where the Book of Acts ends, obviously before Paul's trial. At some point Paul lost his house arrest privileges and went to a prison. Roman prisons of that day were little more than sewers. They were below ground, and the prisoners had to be lowered in and lifted out. The conditions were terrible beyond what we can imagine. Paul finally stood before Nero. We have no record of what he said but it was probably not much different from what he said before. Early church historians wrote that Paul was executed by beheading in 64 AD (Roman citizens could not be crucified but had a right to a more merciful death). Paul left us more than just his example as recorded in Acts. He also wrote letters to churches and church leaders that we'll look at over the next two weeks.
What can we say about Saul of Tarsus/the Apostle Paul? A violent persecutor of Christ became His greatest proponent. He turned his back on a promising future in Judaism. He endured beatings, stonings, near starvation, shipwreck and imprisonment but kept on serving the Lord. What motivated Paul? Let's look at his own words: "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish (literally, manure!), in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." Was it all worth it? Paul gave a resounding yes! He wrote to Timothy, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
When I look at Paul I wonder what I've done, what I'm doing, for the Kingdom of God. If Paul can do these great things in God's service, can't I do at least a little thing for Him? Ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do to witness to and serve others.
Our walk of discipleship begins with that first step. Here's a video of some children singing the old spiritual "Wade in the Water."
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