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“And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard…and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden…and finding disciples, we tarried there seven days” (Acts 21:2-4).
If you have studied ancient history, you will remember that Tyre was a very old city, dating from at least 1000 B.C. It is mentioned in the Old Testament in connection with David and Solomon. The Tyrians were a commercial people, and although Tyre had been conquered and largely destroyed by Alexander the Great, it was still an important seaport and commercial place in Roman times. However, Paul does not mention any of this. Rather, he was overjoyed to find believers there, and he stayed with them a week.
We ought to see the world the way Paul and others in the early church did. Nowadays many young people want to visit as many places in this world as possible. Rather than collecting “things,” they want a passport full of foreign visas and stamps. Yes, it is fun to visit various parts of the world, but our aim ought to be to spread the gospel, and to encourage other believers, rather than simply making “tourist” visits. Everything in this world will be destroyed eventually, but we will spend all eternity with our brethren. It is good to enjoy their company now!
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