and when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the augustan cohort named julius. and embarking in a ship of adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of asia, we put to sea, accompanied by aristarchus, a macedonian from thessalonica. [acts 27:1-2]
“we”
one
small
word.
“we”
in the last few chapters of acts, the action was not in the plural. that is – paul was alone. at his trial, everything was in the first person. now, the action switches back to the plural – we. why? because luke and at least one other companion, aristarchus, are with paul on this sea journey to rome.
the significance – paul is not alone.
God calls us to follow Jesus – by laying down our lives. but, he does not call us to lay down our lives alone. yes, there are moments of following Christ that may happen alone, but we are called to follow Jesus together and the word makes this clear. here are just a few examples from the scripture …
love one another (john 13:34 – this command occurs at least 16 times)
be devoted to one another (romans 12:10)
honor one another above yourselves (romans 12:10)
live in harmony with one another (romans 12:16)
build up one another (romans 14:19; 1 thessalonians 5:11)
be likeminded towards one another (romans 15:5)
accept one another (romans 15:7)
admonish one another (romans 15:14; colossians 3:16) greet one another (romans 16:16)
care for one another (1 corinthians 12:25)
serve one another (galatians 5:13)
bear one another’s burdens (galatians 6:2)
forgive one another (ephesians 4:2, 32; colossians 3:13)
be patient with one another (ephesians 4:2; colossians 3:13)
speak the truth in love (ephesians 4:15, 25)
be kind and compassionate to one another (ephesians 4:32)
speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (ephesians 5:19)
submit to one another (ephesians 5:21, 1 peter 5:5)
consider others better than yourselves (philippians 2:3)
look to the interests of one another (philippians 2:4)
bear with one another (colossians 3:13)
teach one another (colossians 3:16)
comfort one another (1 thessalonians 4:18)
encourage one another (1 thessalonians 5:11)
exhort one another (hebrews 3:13)
stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (hebrews 10:24)
show hospitality to one another (1 peter 4:9)
employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another (1 peter 4:10)
clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 peter 5:5)
pray for one another (james 5:16)
confess your faults to one another (james 5:16)
“we” were chosen, adopted, saved – into a family as a son, daughter of God the Father, our King. you were never intended to do this journey alone. praise God!
who’s on the journey with you today as you follow Christ?
who’s on the journey that needs your encouragement, prayer, love, challenge, or mercy?
who’s God bringing to mind right now?
pray for them. thank God for them. maybe … even reach out to them … and ask them how you can join them in the journey – as you and they follow Christ TOGETHER today.
~ john ryan