Places of Hope
Two weeks later, our small group was, after much rest in the wilderness, walking into Lystra. This city was on the fringes of the region where the main population had gathered over the centuries, and the cities were getting to be much larger. We were glad to be there even though John was to depart from us and go the way the Lord had shown to him.
The last couple of days in Derby were fearful, but enlightening, as we saw a people filled with despair rise up in an awakening and stand firm in the things of the Lord. And all of us witnessed a change of heart in a people from the spiraling descend of destruction, to a correlated mass of Hope. God had used them in a mighty way, teaching all seven of our group, a deeper truth than we’d reached before, in me an awakening by His profound wisdom. I was no longer the teacher, but the student.
Much more activity was going on in this city of bustling folks, Lystra proclaimed to have the entrance gate of the new world, for much of the trade world stopped and ended here. This was the central stopping place for the southern half of the region, where the east met the west. The people in their colorful clothes were friendly, but not personal. They would nod a hello as they sped by, or begged a pardon if in the way, but not a person stood long in one place, at least, not long enough to be talked with; to say the least, it was a busy city. Normally we would walk to the market square, and today was no different, that was the place where the most information could be had in the shortest amount of time. But on this day, we stood there for several hours before the pace slowed to the point to where someone would talk with us.
Finding accommodations, we spent the evening hours talking to the few that had the time, or had slowed down enough to speak, for even after dark there was much ado. Just saying the name of the Apostle Paul would bring a reaction, some were glad that he was gone, and some hoped for his soon return; the city was filled with many different ethnic groups, and it seemed all had heard of him in one way or another. And it didn’t take long after that to find out where the believers gathered, and their feelings on the subject of their gathering. Lystra was similar to Jerusalem with its’ commerce, and the many different cultures that did business there, for the port cities down south used this route to carry their goods to the bigger cities to the north and west. Most of the friendliness was due to public relations, more than it was just a considerate gathering of settled people.
Three or four streets over, were two long rows of shops and shanties that lined each side of the street that split them. There, people were much more relaxed and moved at a much slower pace, a friendly section that was made up the folks that worked for their living, and were permanent to the city. This was where it began to look more like the down to earth folks, and they each had time to chat about the weather, talk about their ailments, or sit around watching for the next shooting star, it was enjoyable being with these people.
A certain man that had been healed was the first to recognize who we were, or rather what we were in the Lord, Apostles. For years before, when Paul had observed him, a man without strength in his feet, sitting, crippled from his mother’s womb, and had never walked, spoke to him. For Paul knew that this man had faith to be healed, saying in a loud voice; “stand up straight on your feet”, and leaping to his feet, he walked. This man greeted us knowing that God had sent others, us, to their fare city, and had been awaiting these years for our arrival. He was filled with the Spirit and proclaimed the name of Jesus throughout every facet of his life, a man full of joy and appreciation.
Going to this man’s house, for he still lived with his parents, we were introduced and made to feel welcomed. Shortly after the introductions, the men traveling with us left to search out others in the city. John was preparing his thoughts to leave, but wanted to know more about that which this man proclaimed, so he and Andrew went inside with me. We were given all the normal salutations, a bite to eat, water to wash our feet, and were made comfortable in every way.
As he told us of the happenings with Paul, we sat in amazement, for this man did not appear to have had a problem in his life, much less having been born crippled. He told us the story, and spoke about after his deliverance; saying, the folks in Lystra said; “The gods have come down upon us in the likeness of men.” But at that time, neither Paul, nor Barnabas were privy to what they said, but when they both found out what was being said about them, rent their clothes and cried out. “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn away from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without witness…” And as the once crippled man continued in telling the story, he began to show pain from deep within, not for his own pain, but for the way Paul was treated. But Paul was not to be swayed by the likeness of men. And a few days later, men from other cities came and they conjoined together to stone Paul, and then dragged him from the city, supposing him to be dead.
This took place less than two years back, and the temper of those of the Jewish sect, and those that wouldn’t believe, still carry their doings with pride, and would surely do it again. If not for the sake of believing they were right, but because of the nobility from those of the same sect gave them.
So the three occupants of this certain man’s home told us that unless God was speaking directly, discretion should be used. But they were thrilled that we were there, and their home was open to whatever we decided, and for as long as was needed. For, with not only them, but many in the town also, put much stock in the Words of God from the apostles.
The next morning as the sun rose pink over the eastern horizon, we said our good-byes to John as he journeyed toward the leading of the Holy Spirit. John wanted to seclude himself for a time, as he said God was dealing with him about certain issues, and thought if he would put pen to parchment, and began writing, he could sort through them. He was not one to keep silent, for much was given to him, and the isolation would probably not last all that long, God was going to use him in mighty ways, but we were to miss him greatly.
We were not to stay long in Lystra , for our call was to go to Antioch of Phrygia, for God had stored something, engineered just for me, but what, I, as of yet, had no idea.
The sect of religious leaders in this part of the world thought the same way those of Judea thought, but in this region they were more blatant in their attacks on the followers of Jesus. For many years, really centuries, their synagogues and temples were placed in such a high esteem, that they were worshipped it in the stead of God. They had left their first love and did like Aaron had done, and that was make an idol for substitution, their so called place of worship. To become a leader in their sect meant that the outward appearance of godliness had to be kept up; when they fasted, it was flaunted in every street; when they prayed, it was done openly and long for all to see and hear; when they gave alms, it was to be seen, and of course; when it came to keeping the law, their own law, it was done with anything but righteousness, and with pure diligence. The law was kept and worshipped with every jot and tittle in place, every letter of it paraded in every form of the imagination. But of a truth, they denied the power of God with their method of so-called godliness. Proselytes, those recruited to join their band were, for the most part, humiliated or forced to surrender to their arranged customs. All this I understood from my youth up, but what concerns me is; that the believers have seen nothing else but this form of religion, and may want to start their own private church. People are not to be recruited to an organization, but to the God that organized the universe; not to a form of godliness, but to the bodily form of Christ Jesus and Him resurrected; not to the way that seems right, but to the righteousness of God ways, that which he expressed through His son Jesus; that is Love. When the Sadducees, Scribes, elders, and chiefs of the temple felt threatened, they would simply remove the threat, this is if they could. A few years back, Paul was in the way, and now, I am, and this friendly man that was healed reminded us of that.
A few days after entering into Lystra, and the meeting of more than a few true believers, we made ready to leave for Antioch, but without John. He said that God spoke to him about going to Perga, and was leaving the same time as us. The other four men thought about going south to Myra, a seaport town, and maybe head back towards Galilee, by way of ship. Andrew and I knew what we had to do, and that was go to Antioch of Phrygia, a four day journey, for we both knew that God had stored something special for us there.
The next morning the sky was filled with clouds, but not the kind that rain fell from, it was pleasant and we were ready. John turned toward the west, the others toward the south, and Andrew and I took our first steps northeast just as the sun was rising on our backs, and a rather large swarm of gnats had gathered between us and our destination. We had known before we’d entered Lystra that our stay would be short, maybe gather a few supplies, for our goal was still farther down the road, sensing urgency, two cities up, and were ready for this leg of the trip. I’d asked the younger men that were going back to Galilee, to give my wife messages from me, and they said that it would be one of the first things they did upon their return.
Now Andrew and I both were in our mid-fifties, both of us strong, but could tell that my legs were not as strong as earlier days, but had no doubt that there were a lot of miles left in them. As we walked this well-traveled road, began to notice all the many different cultures that used this same corridor, as it was one of only two that could be used in this hilly terrain. Each region of the middle-east had their own attire, with their own individual markings or symbols that represented the clan from which they had lived. Some were brightly colored, some striped, some of different cloth but solid in color, but all wore their own unique head dress. Occasionally we’d stop and ask where they were from or to where they were going, and several of the times we’d sit and talk, and frequently our conversation would trail to the things of God. Most of the folks in this area were followers of the off-shoot of Ismael that gave them similar, but yet different variations of that which was taught by Abraham, and most were friendly.
They knew Jehovah God, they knew of circumcision, and these they practiced, but only a few knew of the Son of God and of Him represented on earth. And it was our privilege to tell them of such matters. Many would listen and ask questions, showing a genuine interest, for their God was our same living God, but all they now had was, some man that now interpreted what God was saying to the people, and called His name something different than we used. Hearing about God’s Son being resurrected from the death and grave intrigued a hope that they’d never experienced, and sometimes wanted to hear more.
Sometimes a single man was traveling, sometimes it was a whole family, and many times it was a group of business men that traveled this corridor with their wares from one city to the next. At least a half dozen times there were caravans of folks journeying with large parades of camels, some with herds of goats and sheep, and some using a string of donkeys as pack animals, all had somewhere to go, but none seemed to be in a hurry. The country was arid, and anyone that had ever traveled before knew not to hurry, but once in a while we’d see someone making haste.
In late evening, Andrew and I stopped, making camp, to eat and prepare for a nights’ rest, and this time we were with an already gathered group. Most of the time the groups would spread out over several acres and were made up of many different families that weren’t traveling together, and it made for some interesting nights of entertainment, but with Andrew and me, we were focused on the mission ahead. So when someone would advance to invite us to their tent for talk, it was, for the total part, for the forwarding of God’s Kingdom; and most folks were interested. Of course they would talk of their lives, back-grounds, families and such, but always the conversation would turn to the resurrection of Christ, for at this place in our lives, we knew of nothing else to talk about. It was our lives.
The next night, after sitting up camp, I’d noticed that up the hill, slightly, was a camped group of people that looked prominent in every way. Their caravan was not large, but still contained at least forty folks ranging in age from new-born to very old. The patriarch and his family traveled in these coaches that straddled two long poles on each side, carried by eight men each, and there were three of them. It was not hard to see that this was a man of wealth, maybe of nobility, but assured myself that he was well known, from where, I didn’t know. As I stood a distance off observing, for I’d only seen something like this twice before, the head-man came out from the large tent, approaching me, and asked if I’d like to join him for a cup of herbal tea. It was a concoction of roots and leaves off some unknown plants, but good, as we sat just outside the doorway of a large, striped colored domain that was called their temporary home, and sipped. He introduced himself as Joahaz.
After our usual chat about how dry it was, and how hot the sun gets right after noon time, we began to speak in more personal tones. He was a man from Philippi and was traveling toward Jerusalem, and had been doing so for the last three months, looking for , what he called a ‘man of healing’ to heal his daughter. She had gotten sick the summer before with fever, and it soon escalated to the point that she couldn’t move the right side of her body. Her speech was slurred, could only hear out of one ear, and in her right eye, she was completely blind.
I listened carefully as Joahaz humbly told the story of his daughter, which he loved dearly, and how he was on a quest to find this man, if indeed the man really existed. The humility in his voice was not that of a man of nobility; nor of the usual wealthy type, for his love for his daughter was worth more than any prestige, notoriety, or anything that money could buy. Joahaz was an upright man, and lived among the Ammonite clan of people from the north, but they could, in no way help with this debilitating ailment.
The man did most of the talking, and I could tell that something inside him had a need to get it out, so I listened. My attention was on his words, but once in a while I would look around at the other camp fires, the silhouettes of the distant hills in gray night, or ever- so-often, watch a falling star, but always my concern was on his child and the brokenness that it was causing in the family.
Joahaz had taken her to the synagogue and temple of the Jews, some month’s journey from his home, but all they would say was, that it is because of his misarranged life-style that caused this to be placed on her, and needed to pay penitence. He continued by saying that he knew that everything in his life was not always pleasing to others, but always tried living a fair and decent life, one that the family didn’t have to shun from. The village where he made home was far to the north, and had many sheep, goats and camels in his possession and was called rich in other peoples’ standards, but now felt poor, for the welfare of the daughter was more important than anything money had ever done for him. Her name was Janomi. Joahaz had heard that the people from Abraham had a Savior, a Messiah that walked on earth healing as many as would come to Him, called the Son of God. For he knew of Abraham, and knew him well, and the stories of old, and he heard of Moses also from the same stock, for in the legends of his own country, these were mighty people. But when Joahaz had approached them, the Jews, they hadn’t a clue as to what to do, they just shrugged him off. But it was then that he’d heard about this Messiah, and pursued to find Him, only to learn, and that of late, that the Roman’s and Sanhedrin had him killed.
It was hard to listen in silence, and although Joahaz had his facts more or less straight, he had no comprehension of whom or what Jesus is, but knew that there was hope within this Savior. As he continued, I sat hearing a broken man wanting more in this life than it had afforded thus far, and now knew that life was more than the prosperity money could or couldn’t bring. He wanted Life.
“Although, it is said, that the messiah is dead, we’d heard he implanted his will and Power into those that followed Him, and that my friend, is my mission to find, those called apostles. Finding these men of God, I am assured, will restore my daughter to health. As my servants obey me, I also will render to the Word of God. These months of travel has shown me that no one in any sect can bring about this change that is sorely needed, but I am convinced that this God of the Messiah can.”
I sat a few minutes pondering the root of all he said, for I also, at one point in my life, pursued money and the prestige it could buy, but now I was at a loss of words to speak to this shadow of a man. I knew what to do, but just didn’t find the words to say to him. I’d thought about calling for Andrew, but that didn’t make sense either, so I sat quietly for a few moments.
In a short time it came to a remembrance in me, ‘the vision’ that the Lord had given to me those decades ago. “What God has cleansed you must not call common”, and then after Jesus had risen he spoke to us; “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” It was brought up in my memory that the same word ‘nations’ in both of these teachings were used, for Cornelius was also of another nation, and God, with His never-ending Grace reminded me again that night; and I was thankful.
Looking up as I stood, looking Joahaz directly in the eyes Spoke: “I perceive that you are a man of sincerity, and your faith has brought you thus far, this same God that you seek is not cornered in any particular place, but covers the whole of the land. This same Jesus, although was crucified, is now resurrected and able to minister to as many as come to Him in Faith. For the Spirit in man to be complete in this life, his soul must be willing. I am solidly confident that in the name of Jesus, your redemption is now observed, and your daughter is healed.”
Joahaz was listening with intent, and as I spoke, a stirring began in his tent, noises of varying pitches filled the air, and he didn’t waiver in any degree. And as two of his servant ran toward him shouting many inaudible phrases, Joahaz turned to see that behind them was his whole family, including his daughter.
Even though the large camping area was spread out over a lot of real estate, the sounds coming from this family was enough to bring them all together, to ascertain the cause. It was then that a party of Jews wandered in and saw that I too had a part in it. Showing their dissatisfaction, I left.
There was much rejoicing, and that night was festive with music and praises, as the wholeness of his family was returned.
Early the next morning, as Andrew and I arose and made ready to travel, for our next stop in Iconium was but a short distance away; and from there, go to Antioch. No one in any of the other camps had stirred a muscle, for it was quiet with the exception of some of the night creatures, and a distant call of a bird. This time, thinking it would be better to leave before we said our good-byes, Joahaz will be firm in his belief, and solid in his faith as he would probably turn around and go back to his land, still not knowing that it was one of the apostles that spoke with him.
It was two days later when we reached an oasis, and two days after that that we reached Antioch. It was a large city nestled in the pass of some fairly rugged mountains; the only pass one could travel without going a hundred miles north, and had grown large, as it was the gateway from east to west, or vise-versa. Most of the north/south traffic centered also in this city, as a road was carved eons ago on the peaks of the mountains ranging the same direction. This city was almost as big as Jerusalem, and had about as many people, but this municipality drew a linage quite different than that of the Galilee region. These were hard people that scratched their living from the mediocre sparseness of the surrounding land, made up of more than a few ethnic groups. But still a welcomed sight as we approached, we were glad to be there, for God has specifically told Andrew and me both, that this city was to be reached. Without a doubt, I knew there was a purpose, but what it was, I would shortly find out.
As we walked into the city, it had already been noised that we were coming; Barnabas and Titus met us, not knowing our face, but were certain of our identity. Greeting us with smiles and a Holy kiss, embraced us to follow them to the place where they camped, asking if we would camp near-by, and the answer was yes. That evening, after everything was squared away, Andrew and I followed them to the city where many acquaintances were met. Now Paul was in the city also, and pitched his tent near us, but as of yet, we hadn’t met him, but knew of the great works that were wrought thru him by the Grace of God. Paul, being a Jew, had an encounter with Jesus on a road some decades ago, and now preached mainly to the Gentiles, and in Antioch made no small stirring among the people, for he was known through-out all the region between the two seas.
Now Titus and Barnabas worked hand-in-hand with Paul, for they too had a call from God in their spirit. Many introductions were made that night, and to my surprise, many had already learned of the name of Peter.
It took but a short time to find out that circumcision was of no small matter among the many different ethnic groups, and many were rigid in their belief, for as many were on one side as there were on the other side of the issue. In meeting someone, it took but a few moments before the one met would voice his opinion on the subject of circumcision, and most were boisterous about it. Many times we were asked our position on the subject, and not wanting to close any doors, I tried to remain neutral on the subject.
Now Titus and Barnabas both ministered with Paul, and were in agreement with him in just about every detail, and were also favored with Paul amid the people, at least a large portion of them. They were men that reverend God and could hear His voice; men that very genuinely had a personal relationship with the Creator, and walked in His Grace. It was a true asset to count them now among our friends, and their introductions were well appreciated, for through them, I’m sure, the true mystery of why God sent me here would be revealed.
That evening ran well into the night before I thought to turn back to camp to pray and evaluate this new city that was so far from home.