Who Are Those Guys?

 

Acts 20:2-4  He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

 

 

When Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were trying to evade the trackers after one of their big train heists they were mystified at who would be so diligent, so determined and so gifted in pursuing them.  They kept repeating the same question to each other -”who are those guys?”.

 

Indeed that was the same question I had after reading the passage of Paul’s traveling companions through Macedonia.  Who are those guys?  Paul clearly was on the run like those notorious outlaws Butch and Sundance, but Paul’s reason for being on the run so to speak was because he was bringing down strongholds, proclaiming light in a dark world, facing the spiritual forces at work in the world.  He had enemies.

 

But who were these guys that accompanied him?  They must have been honest men, noble men, men of prayer, men of faith and conviction.  The must have had spiritual strength, perhaps even physical strength?  They were the guardians and protectors of Paul, a man of great importance to the kingdom of God.

 

In so many ways God provided protection for Paul as he journeyed for the kingdom, but He didn’t spare him from all suffering.  Paul knew suffering and weakness and the weight of sorrow, even despair.  Yet God was with him, through the comfort of the Holy Spirit, through visions, throught the help and prayers of others…and through these seven men of God on the way through Macedonia.

 

Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia walked with Paul to encourage, care for and protect.

 

Who are your brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers in the Lord to walk with you, to have your back, to pray for you, to help you see the work of God in your life?  You need them.  If you don’t have them, you need to find them.  God made us to walk in community on this journey.  We are not lone outlaws like Butch and Sundance.  We are not made to do this life by ourselves.  We are on a walk with God and with others.

 

Blessings in your walk with Sopater or Aristarchus or…

Scott for Wellspring © Copyright 2009