The Long Road
This was the year that Festus became the Procurator of Judea, taking the place of Felix, and how this is going to go with the folks in Jerusalem, only time will tell, but what I’ve heard about him thus far, the news ain’t good. If his past reputation is any indicator, then the future of our holy lands are in jeopardy.
We’ve been now walking north from Antioch three days and not even close to the inlet horn of the Gulf of Issus, and the journey, so far, has gone smooth, but slow. We have had very little contact with other travelers, for this area of land is seldom traveled. Most people, when going between Tarsus and Antioch, sail by ship, it’s much shorter, and needless to say, much easier, but unfortunately not an option for our larger group.
It was near high noon, sun blistering hot and very little shade, and with me getting up in years, thought it would be nice to settle under these three of four cedar trees for a rest and maybe take something to eat. Of course John, being much younger, took it to make a little fun at me about, seeing my hair and beard was grayer than it was black, and thinking because of my age; that this journey was rough on me; but it wasn’t, and all his cutting-up was done in humor. I could see for miles ahead, and this was the only shade seen, and I might be a little older, but in this case wiser; and he’ll probably thank me later when he too will learn to look at something besides his feet making prints in the sand. It was hot, but we were all use to that, but nestled between the trees offered some relief, and with my stomach growling, some relief there too. We ate, we talked, and some of the newer men would take opportunities like this and get into a deeper conversation with Andrew and myself to learn a little more history of our walk with Jesus. Wanting to know more about His character and personality, and how He would see certain situations, such as the last time he walked into Jerusalem. How did He feel? Was He scared? Or was His destination understood from the beginning?
I told them that: “Jesus had a relationship with the Father just like we had with our own parents. Yes, we can hear God speaking to us from within, but He could hear and see Him fluently; all that the Father did, and all that the Father said, He was one with Him. And so can we be. Our lives are ordained for certain trials and many tribulations, and this walk, this trip to Tarsus, we must have, before each is readied for that intimate relationship, an understanding that each day, all of us are being purged of the old man within, and until we realize this, and our focus has narrowed to Him, we still travel in this life seeing through a darkened glass. I think he was slightly scared, but understood the necessity of going into Jerusalem, it was what the Father wanted, and as far as Jesus was concerned, that’s the only thing that mattered. It gave him great pleasure to please God, and His only focus was on that. And that too is what this journey is about, preparing us to take our eyes off of ourselves, and fix them upon the Father.”
The younger men seemed amazed at these few words, but especially John, for he said that he knew the importance of the trip, but didn’t see that it was more for him, than it was for those hearing the Word of this Grace. And it now took a completely different meaning knowing that what is to come is designed in detail, just for him, and of course all of us individually. That this venture was ordained to set the captured creature within free, to bring about a nurturing into the spirit of each apostles, to purge us from accepting this life on earth as final.
I smiled; it was evident that at least John understood, and you know, by saying it, I think that I too understood it a little more precisely.
John looked at the other men, as if to say; do you get what was said? And later, during our rest, and also as we began walking again, I could hear John talking to the others of the revelation that he’d just heard. At one point I could hear him telling two of the men: “That Gods’ hand is not shortened, that He can work every corner, every nook, every disposition, and cause everyone involved to learn, whether you are the one coming from or going to, both sides are growing.” He was elated, and as time passed, he could expound to me in even greater details, and teach me of what it all meant. To be on the giving end, places you on the receiving end.
After our band of men rounded the Gulf of Issus, a large inlet that stretched some fifty or sixty miles into the mountainous region of Cappadocia, we again stopped for the night. This time thought it was better to make camp several hours before sunset, and had chosen an out crop of boulders on one side, and a cliff on the other; we were in the pass of the mountain. This was probably the only traveled pass in which donkey and man could make their way through for a hundred miles or so in any direction, so we set camp. Wood was a little easier to come by, the air much cooler than the desert floor, and this was not the first time that this spot had been chosen for a camp. The remnants of many overnight fires were scattered over a small area, the ground trampled flat and hard, and the upward ledge provided shelter from the nightly dew, it was perfect for us. Besides all that, two of the men had leg cramps from climbing up the steep terrain, and one other had blisters on both feet; that was the reasoning we used in stopping early to begin with.
Later that same evening, a man, his wife and two daughters, coming from the opposite direction, passing by just before the mountain had swallowed up the sun, paused for a few moments to chat. And after a short conversation we convinced them to camp just slightly down the hill from us; and they did. I suppose that they were going to camp in the same place we were, and being friendly, acted as if they were to continue, but I saw through it, and we made one big camp with little distance between us.
They were coming from Tarsus, going into Syria, and only three days had passed since beginning their trip. Their three donkeys were burdened with sacks of provisions, and most, of all they owned, were carried with them, and when they’d asked us to sup with them, the answer was swift and to the point; “of course we will.” It had been a while since any of us had a real meal, this often had seemed to be the case, and this man seemed very genuine in his request. Other than figs, dates, stale bread, a few dried fish, and some varmint of who knows what, snared by one of our men, none of us had had a real meal in weeks, so without being too forward, took him up on his offer.
The donkeys’ burden was quit-a-bit improved after the meal was consumed, and to our pleasure, well received. This was a nice family of God fearing people; were raised in the Jewish faith, but were not taken in with all the rituals of their sect. They had heard the Apostle Paul speak on several occasions, and drawn to the Gospel of Grace, excited in this new Life, and were going to find his nomadic in-laws and tell them of the things that God was showing His people. He’d felt the inward power of God, and believed this Good-News to be real, and wanting to share it with the ones they loved first, but also to any other that would listen, a man of hope.
And when he’d found out from an extensive conversation, as they talked through much of the early night, that several of the apostles were in our group, the man wanted to ask many questions and gain an insight into the person of Jesus. He was warned by the scribes and elders of the Pharisees not to listen to, much less pursue, this so-called heretic belief; this life preached by Jesus and the apostles, that taught that we can have a relationship with the Father without going through some institution. That, from their point-of-view, a man has to come under the authority of an overseer, and be guided by their set of rules and regulations, but years back saw thru that foolishness and stepped back some distance from the synagogues. And for that reason, him wanting to follow the message of Love and Grace, they began to persecute him, and as of late were putting much pressure on him through his family; so they left. And now with the disciples and apostles in the same camp, he wanted to take this opportunity to learn again, first-hand, from those that walked with Him and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For he had heard Paul preach and expound several times and knew this life was for him and his.
And again, like in Antioch several weeks back, I began to explain the freedom that Jesus came to deliver to earth; that man, was not to be weighted down with the burdens of those seeking to serve themselves, with their lengthy prayers and self-righteous public attitudes. That circumcision was not necessary, but we were to refrain from things strangled, sacrificed to idols, and have no consumption of blood, for the Love of God covers every multitude of sin. And He operates within the perimeters of true Love, and Grace without dimension, for He loved the people of the world so much that he gave His only Begotten, a Sacrifice, that all would know that He alone was the Father of all.
Authors note: Peter, only in this time and place of his life, taught the three above deeds, but later changed his views on them.
We talked, exchanging our views, one to another, ‘til midnight, with growth; the one talking would grow the same as the one listening, it was a great opportunity for both, him and us. But then, after settling into my bed-roll, I got to thinking that some of my words might also put a weight on people, a yoke that’s not supposed to be there, and thinking about this a few minutes, I fell asleep.
The next morning, after my usual meditations, I arose to find the man making ready to continue his journey, but waiting on me. We exchanged messages with each other that were to be carried and forwarded to let the folks and family know that all was well, and God continued to reign. After eating a small meal, both groups set out in opposite direction, but with the same course.
Some less than a week later, our group of eleven men walked into Tarsus, it was afternoon, the first day of the week, people stirring with their everyday business, and no one noticed our arrival. Since a group of the ‘called out ones’ have been meeting together for decades now, it wasn’t hard to find one of the elders, and after asking a couple of people about who they were; the second one asked, pointed us in the right direction. Meeting Silas was a thrill for both him and us. He’d been side-by-side with the Apostle Paul, and knew in great detail many things about Andrew, John and I, and was glad that we had arrived.
Silas was a man of integrity, he was loyal to God and His works, and had a deep grasp on the things of God, humble in every way, but bold in speech. Although he would speak to the Jews concerning the things of Jesus Christ, his main interest was toward the Gentiles. Silas was still under the stewardship of Paul, but very capable of hearing and following as the Spirit gave him guidance. But still yet, a courier was sent every week or so, to and from Antioch of Phrygia, where Paul had been teaching and building the understanding of those that believed in that region. But for Tarsus; and Silas being there, was a greater challenge, but one that Silas could overcome easier than Paul, for that was where Paul was from. All of Tarsus knew Paul, or at least knew of him, and more than a few were reluctant of his testimony because they had personally known him in the past, that is, the many times that he persecuted those that believed on Christ and Him crucified, so Silas at this point was much more effective with these people.
So when entering the tent of Silas’, we were welcomed with a bowl of fruit and nuts, and asked if we’d like to clean-up in the mountain stream that ran only a few feet from where they made their temporary home. The water coming off the nearby hills was cold, but refreshing. And reentering the tent, we were again made welcome. After a few exchanges of chit-chat, Silas wanted to know all that the Spirit was doing thru our lives, and we wanted to know about his, it was as if we’d always known each other.
Many wonders and works were being spread throughout all the regions between the Black Sea and the Great Sea, all of Asia, even to Rome and farther still, this Gospel message could not be contained. Our time together was wonderful, for us, and I believe for him also. Being an instrument of God’s hand, we all appreciated the privilege of the works being done thru them.
Silas told us of the teaching, to both the Jews and also the Gentiles, and the problems that the folks had with each other, for normally the Jews would not speak to the gentiles, and vise-versa, but in this case at Tarsus, great strides had been made.
It was then that I told of the vision the Spirit had given to me some twenty years ago: “That a sheet had been lowered down from Heaven with all manner of unclean animals, and was told to kill and eat, but I said, not so Lord, for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth. But the voice came again and said; what God has cleansed you must not call common. This happened three times, and then it was drawn back into Heaven.” I paused for a few moments and then continued. “It took time, maybe months, for the understanding of this dream to be understood, but I now know that God was sending me to the gentiles, or at least the acceptance of them, and probably for this reason, I am here.”
There was a long silence before anyone spoke. I could tell by their face and body-language that each person in that room was contemplating on the words of the vision. Then in a soft tone of voice, Silas said that; “God had shown me years ago that the message of the Grace of God through His Christ was to be preached to the Gentiles, and this word coming from you was the news that I’d long hoped for. That this is of a truth, God had sent you, Peter, to Tarsus to help Paul and I to get this message out, and I am thankful.”
Each man in that room looked at one another, for each knew that God was the provider of the trip, and each had a part in it, but now understood the exact value of all those weeks of walking. It was an affirmation that each expected, but now fully understood.
The next morning I made a straight course to the place in town where the Gentiles assembled, not an organized established place, but a junction where many would linger and talk and get their daily news from, a place where two streets came together. It was a beautiful day, the sun bright in a cloudless sky, and many of the women and men had assembled the day before, the Lords’ day, and seemed to have much to talk about.
Great strides had been taken, and many of the believers were growing daily in their walk with Christ, and Monday mornings seem to be the day that many would exchange the works and wonders of the previous week, and a little more festive than the other days. All this was according to the implication of Silas’ words, so that was why we were there.
By this time, all the folks of Tarsus knew who we were; which included the many Jews. It was a bustle of activity, unheard chatter was going on everywhere, and some animated; but when approaching, all went silent. Two men, one Simeon, called Niger, and another named Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, came up and introduced themselves. Manaen explained that he too was with Saul, now sir-named Paul, when they worked for Herod, but both were transformed by that meeting with Christ on the road to Damascus, and Niger had joined with them shortly thereafter. It didn’t take long to see that both men had a deep understanding and zeal for the things of the Lord. It was a pleasure to be with such men with the appreciation and love that they had for the folks, and were often called outsiders, but neither, were in this for the glory. They understood this part of the country, and their offer of help in this region was extremely valuable. We seem to hit it off as if we’d known each other for years. And I think that John and Andrew took a personal liking to the both of them.
They took us to places, that by ourselves we would never have been able to go, introduced to many that had an unmistakable handle in just what Grace is.
Grace is the gift from God, that man with his thinking and works cannot earn, for no matter how embedded into sin one gets, Grace is always there. It is so simple, and man spends much time trying to complicate it, that to have Grace is one thing, but to acknowledge it is something quite different. As many as are loved by God is given Grace, whether we love him or not, to those that believe this unmerited gift, can walk in the freedom and the Love that God has sent to each through His son Jesus; this is for all, not just some. For God so Loved the world, that He gave, and He gave all He has. These words were exchanged as we all looked out about over the traffic going in every direction.
Many times several of us were taken to the many homes of the folks living in Tarsus, and each one of them would have a different set of needs, some would just need an understanding of the things of God, and others a healing or deliverance. Paul had done a wonderful work here in the time that he had spent with these people, for many had a comprehension that went sometimes beyond those that traveled with us, including me. On more than several occasions, an elder or scribe would stand in the door as we would minister to a family, and with their gestures and grunts, it was obvious of their disapproval. Their religious blindness would keep them from the Light of this new freedom, but not all, for many of the Jews have come to believe; and to those that are open about it: have been persecuted. This is no easy task, this walk with Christ, not the way the world views it; but it is a privilege to those that are in Christ Jesus and live no longer for themselves, but in Him. It is the blinders that religion has place on man, with their view points, that has kept many in the dark, therefore not wanting to seek a deeper understanding of the Freedom Christ brought.
We continued in Tarsus for many weeks, and the number of believers, and the depth of their belief, grew to the place that many of them were gathering and contemplating building their own place of worship. I’ve seen this happen before and it never works, for the people begin to think that the building is the place to find God, and the expanse of His work is narrowed to the four walls in which the building is made; so they begin to believe that Christ is limited, and He is not. Trying to place God in a box, a building, and then preaching that their so-called sanctuary is the place to be, to be taught, then places the folks in bondage as long as they fall to that way of thinking, but none of it is true. Jesus told us to ‘go you into the entire world’; but with this frame of thinking, they seem to be saying ’come’, all that’s in the world, and we will give you light,’ but then is not this, the blind leading the blind? Anytime we go against the Word that God gave us, are we then walking without His guidance? Have we not stepped out on our own? I have come against this way of thinking several times before, and many see that none, not one, is to organize the Life that God has given us. But there are always a determined few that want it their way, and convince others into following them. This ought not to be so. I have stood with objection to this way of thinking, and will until I die, and come with opposition to any trying to organize or institutionalize the things of God and His way of Life. Where the few have succeeded, at least in appearances, in this form of religion, that is, building an empire unto themselves; it has always failed and the people began to perish. The power of the Word of God failed, not that it truly can fail, but their approach to Him has caused a delusion to so many, that it emerges as failure.
We give up nothing on our journey for Christ, but are instead, fed daily on His manna. What cost is accounted to us, is but nothing compared to that which is gained, not only for us, but also the effectiveness to others. God has His way, and man ought not to be tempted in any other, but many are. Anyway, when the group again came together, I went also to stand in opposition to the forming of godliness, and knowing that the power will not be
within it, for sooner or later they will deny the Power thereof.
“Men, brothers in Christ, fellows believers, this task that you are called upon to build, is not the Way, Truth, nor the Life that Jesus has set up to build within His called-out-ones, nor the Rock upon which His Church is built. Of a truth, God is surely organized, but not in the way man thinks, we see through a glass that is darkened, and He nurtures those that are led as the Holy Spirit cultivates His people thru the trials and temptations of life. This attempt to organize God into mans’ way of thinking, is to a point, a mandate to turn our backs against Him. Each of us have seen and felt the burdens that the scribes and Sadducees have placed upon those that are within their reach, with the many rites, regulations, and their man-made laws, and by doing so, have positioned a yoke on those, that man in his own strength cannot live up too. Jesus came to set us free, and free indeed we are. He came to give life, and give it abundantly, not by the strength of man, but by His strength, that is; His Love and Grace. My beloved, this regulated institution that you are pursuing ought to be set aside, and we should, rather, seek instead a relationship with Him thru his Grace and Love. Where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, there He will be also. Watch you therefore, and let not your vanity rule your soul with this yoke that is being contemplated. Walk you in the freedom of our Lord, not these vain repetitious works of the man- made rituals.”
As I turned from side to side, looking throughout the crowd, I could see Andrew, John, Silas, Niger, and Manaen standing together in the corner close to the doorway, and by the look on their face, I could tell that they too were in agreement. “It is inside every man that his vanity wants to organize everything of God the same way that I too wanted when the transfiguration took place in front of me. Having learned from my past, and learning it acutely, by having to remove myself from that mountain, I now understand that God is God, and cannot be put into a box, nor limited in any way where Truth abides. But, also understanding, that all have to grow, mature in the Lord, and come to this deep intimate relationship that is a continuing journey, for I too have just begun, and my journey is far from completion; much more remains before me than has already been traveled.”
It was several hours later before the five of us left the meeting, and as we walked toward the place that we were staying, we discussed again the issues of tonight’s subject. Each one of us had something that needed to be spoken about, but Silas took the most time elaborating on his feelings of organizing Gods’ Church.
As Silas reached out and touched my arm, indicating that he wanted undivided attention, our whole group stopped to listen to what he had to say. “This matter was brought to the Apostle Paul on many occasions, and he too tried reasoning with them, and for the most part, the majority of the folks in Tarsus agreed with him. For he too knew of the devastation that many of the Jews have placed upon folks with their many so-called laws of empowerment; by giving a few the higher seat, and elevated position, shows all an hierarchy that God, nor His son Jesus ordained, I know that Niger and Manaen both agree, for we have spoken about this matter many times, and have set down in many instances to reason with as many as would listen, and evidently to no avail. Once the church, or could better say, the called-out-ones are yoked by their misunderstandings, have organized, it is then that God is pushed out, being replaced by man. I’ve always thought that God called His people to come out from among them, but man with all his vanities, continues to ensue power, and like Paul said; ‘this ought not to be so.’”
There were times that I thought that what I was saying aligned with the will of God, and sometimes, I just wasn’t quite sure, but with this issue I was certain, but it was also still appreciated to learn that it was not just me that heard from God on this matter, and I was blessed to know that this same Word was spoken to many. God’s people were to go throughout the world preaching; and never was it said to ask them to come to you, and in this; we were all six in complete alignment. The office of supreme leader of an assembly had been offered to me several times; and not now, nor in the future will I accept such nobility, as to lower my sights on anything short of God. It was God’s work thru Paul that started this New Life in Tarsus, and it was our pleasure to help him, Silas and the others, to continue this word of revelation as we were given knowledge by Him that created the message to come out of her, my people.
The next morning, our small group did what we always do, and that was going from house to house expounding on the Word of God as He gave us privilege to hear. It made no difference whether they were Jew or Gentile, anyone with a willingness to hear, heard. But the group of Jews that were sent to follow us for information to give to their superiors, continued. I now know that this was a small matter, what people thought about me; but then, a decade ago, it was more than a small matter to me, for I was annoyed and began to doubt, even that which God had given me, at least in this issue of what folks were thinking about me, for I still had an occasional problem with my vanity. There were times, when in the house of a gentile, one of the Jews would approach, and I would up and leave. I think that I did this to keep a higher status with them, but whatever it was, I was wrong doing so, but it would still take over a year to learn just exactly how wrong I was. At one point Silas pointed it out to me of this double standard that I seem to portray, and again that same night, my brother and John spoke to me about this matter at length. For some reason it just wasn’t registering, or my thoughts were someplace else, for I just didn’t truly didn’t recognize what I was doing, or so I told myself.
This walk, or journey, that I’d dedicated my life too, was at times, anything but simple. I could speak about the freedom in Christ, and of a truth believed it, but at this time in my growth, there was a war going on inside of me. That is, at certain times, or in a few situations, my flesh would instinctively get in the way, I speak this to my shame, but never-the-less it is true. I wasn’t the hot-head that I used to be, surely had made great progress on not being so quick to blurt out my thoughts, but what others thought of me; was for some reason, still far too much important. And I knew this, and these three men pointing it out, my own brother included, still didn’t have the capacity to show me the era, at least deep enough to be truly recognized. So I continued to stumble from time-to-time.