When I am going on trips, as I am today, the first thing I do is to check out the local VRBO’s and Airbnb’s. I am looking for certain amenities and, of course, a killer deal. If it is for more than one day, it has to have good reviews. That is first and foremost to the savvy traveler. Then I search the posted photos for grills, places to linger (both outside and in), and the kitchen. Since this was an overnight trip with other guys from the church for a Presbytery meeting, it was mandatory that everyone have their own bed. (I don’t do double bunking!) Now obviously, when it is just my bride and me, the priorities are somewhat different.
Paul, for most of his missionary life, depended on hospitality. He just stayed with folk he met in the towns where he was sharing the gospel. I don’t know about you, but that sounds a little creepy to me. I have been on mission trips where we did this, and I do have stories to tell. However, we are in the part of Paul’s story where, if I were him, even the poorest offer of hospitality would look like a stay at a nice hotel. I have often said, when Paul visited a new town, the first thing he did was not check out the VRBO’s or hotels, but he checked out the jails… because there was a good chance he might wind up there! Now, as a prisoner of Rome, he will go from jail to jail. His jail stint in this one lasted over two years. (Sounds like justice in Memphis, doesn’t it!) Anyway, what is fascinating is that there are two defenses of the gospel recorded by Luke. One is expected—he is being prosecuted by the folk from Jerusalem. The next one, however, is essentially very private, by a man and his wife. One is filled with courtroom drama and legalese, and the other one could have taken place in a living room.
What happened, you might ask? Well, we will talk about it on Sunday! Hope to see you here!
Blessings,
Jim