When I look at the landscape of modern-day Western Turkey, my eyes are opened to just how difficult the travels of the apostle Paul and other first century brethren were. In my mind, before visiting these places, I always assumed it was long, flat desert. Sure, it required a lot of walking, but it was easy roads and nearby cities. It wasn’t until I rode 4-5 hours in a bus between stops on our Steps of Paul tour, through mountain ranges and steep hills, that I began to realize just how difficult first century travel must have been.
When I read through passages like Acts 16, where within a span of 12 verses we read about 4 different regions and numerous (far apart!) cities, I realize just how easy it is to forget how much dedication carrying the gospel took for our first century brothers and sisters. Not only would they have traveled in far inferior ways than we are used to (think a lot of walking or rickety ships), but it also required a lot of time. These cities may seem close on a map, but most of them required a long journey. And, most cities were atop an acropolis, meaning it required even more effort to get up to the pinnacle of the city once your long and tiring journey got you there.
Sometimes, we read through the great commission (Matt. 28:18-20) and we think yes, we need to do that. We need to spread the gospel. Then, we get to the point in a conversation where we should bring up Jesus, and we feel uncomfortable. We’re afraid we’ll make things awkward or difficult. But here’s the thing: we don’t know anything about difficult!
Walking for miles on end is difficult. Fleeing from mobs is difficult. Mountain ranges are difficult. Being threatened if you don’t bow before the emperor is difficult. Telling the cashier in Wal-Mart who probably doesn’t want to hear it? Not difficult. Causing discomfort at Thanksgiving, not difficult. Uncomfortable? Maybe. But as one lady in my ladies Bible class pointed out, the more you believe in a cause the less difficult it seems. Ouch, right?
Do I have the dedication to Jesus that those in the first century had? Would I be willing to speak up for Jesus if it meant I may be displaced? Would I be willing to speak up for Jesus if it meant I had to travel miles and miles in unfavorable conditions? Would I be willing to spread Christ’s message in the midst of thronging, deadly persecution? We know that those in the first century were willing, because Acts 19:10 tells us that at that point in time, all of Asia had heard the Word of the Lord.
Carrying out the great commission wasn’t easy in the first century world, and yet they accomplished what the Lord commanded. How? Partially because every Christian did their part (Acts 8:4) and partially because they were willing to put in the effort. Whatever it took, they would do it. These are two crucial ingredients for our lives today, too. We must all be willing to do our part in taking the gospel message to our part of the world, and we must be whole-heartedly invested in the cause, willing to go wherever, do whatever, endure whatever for Jesus’ sake.
I’m so encouraged by our first century brothers and sisters. I pray that I will use them as a great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1) and let them push me toward greater spiritual heights this year, and I pray the same for you.
