Along the famous Appian Way paved road that ran from ancient Rome to the Bay of Naples, many processions had traveled. Over it mighty conquerors made their way victoriously to the great city, bringing along captives and other tokens of victory. About the year 63 A.D. two little companies of Christians could be seen making their way (very likely on foot) from the world metropolis toward the sea. One company went as far as "The Three Taverns," about thirty-three miles from Rome, while the other went on about ten miles farther to "Appii-Forum."
History gives a rather dark picture of the conditions along the road, and the bad reputation of the two named stations on it. What were these early Christians traveling along this road for? Was it to meet some great personage, some mighty conqueror? What motive prompted them to make what was in those days such a long hard trip? It was love that took them forward on that journey. The news had reached them that the Apostle Paul, with Luke and Aristarchus, had arrived the week before at Puteoli, a city on the Bay of Naples. When they landed they found "brethren" there and, as they desired, Paul and his party remained one week with them.
It was springtime now, after a strenuous and hazardous winter. Paul the prisoner, and his friends, the soldiers, and other prisoners had started for Rome the fall before; and after a terrible storm in the Mediterranean, the ship was wrecked and they were stranded on the Island of Malta. Now at last the great Apostle to the Gentiles was approaching the great and wicked city of Rome. This was his first trip to Rome; he had often longed to go there, as he says in the letter he wrote to the Roman Christians. We do not know how the gospel was carried to them, but the Apostle Paul had not done it, and as far as we know, no other apostle had either. God had ordered it that others should carry His glad tidings to Rome.
That precious bond that unites all the children of God was surely felt and manifested in this touching scene. Paul loved the dear saints whom he had not seen, and they loved him. Many of them had not long before been pagan worshipers of false gods, without God and without love for His people. Now they were drawn together by the same Spirit. Paul had written to them, "I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." Rom. 1:11, 12.
He had written this perhaps about three years before, just previous to his arrest in Jerusalem. At that time he did not know that when he did go to see them, he would go as a prisoner.
Now the time that Paul looked forward to had arrived—he was approaching Rome where there were many who were dear to him. How would they treat him, a prisoner? Would they welcome him? He did not have to wait until he reached the city to find out and see evidence of love and affection. Prisoner or no, when they heard he was coming, many of the saints took up their journey to meet him en-route and escort him to the city. To the teeming multitudes of the great city Paul was nothing, but no greater person ever traveled that road—he, the greatest servant the Lord ever had—the great Apostle of the Gentiles, although a prisoner under military guard.
Paul had desired to be a help to them, and to be comforted and encouraged by the faith in them; thus they would encourage each other. How sweet and precious the fact that each is a member in that one body, and each has his own particular place to fill, and his own function to perform.
No one doubts that Paul would be a great help to those dear saints at Rome, but notice how he was first helped and encouraged by them. In Acts 28:15 we read that when Paul saw those fellow members of the one body, "He thanked God, and took courage." No doubt Paul had natural fears and dread as he approached that great city for his trial before Caesar. The ordeals of his trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea had not been effaced from his memory. He had suffered much for Christ in both cities; and in Jerusalem the Lord stood by him one night and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou halt testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." Acts 23:11.
And when he and all on board ship had been in that terrible storm for many days "an angel of God" stood by him at night and said, "Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God bath given thee all them that sail with thee." Acts 27:24. But this time as Paul neared Rome the Lord did not appear, but used His people to strengthen and encourage him. How touching is that scene along the Appian Way! as Paul, with Luke and Aristarchus, came along the road to receive a loving embrace and words of comfort and cheer. Perhaps never before or since was such a scene enacted on that Roman paved road. Surely God looked down on them that day, and it was He who was using fellow-Christians to comfort and strengthen His faithful and wearied servant.
And, fellow-Christian, have we not each and all opportunities to encourage one another? Which of us have not at some times felt the need of a word in season to lift up hands that hang down? And if we have such times, so have all the rest of the saints. And if we have received such cheer, may we not desire to be able to render it to others? Yes, even Christ's greatest servant needed and received words and acts of encouragement, for which he thanked God.