MONDAY February 10, 2025
Travel Companions
Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
Acts 17:14
The Gospel was preached, but not received well by the Jews in Thessalonica. Paul, with Silas, were sent by night to Berea; there the Jews were more fair-minded and readily received the Word of God. They searched the Scriptures to see if these things were true about Jesus Christ. Even some Greek men and prominent women believed what Paul was preaching (Acts 17:10-12).
However, persecution came when the Jews from Thessalonica arrived and began to stir up the crowds against Paul. The brethren sent him away by sea to Athens. Paul left Timothy and Silas behind so they could help with the ministry; but soon after, when he reached Athens, he sent for them (Acts 17:13-15). Silas and Timothy rejoined Paul at Corinth.
Timothy experienced firsthand what it was like to travel with Paul. There were times of persecution and affliction, but also times of peace and joy, as people accepted Christ. Timothy received quite an education as he ministered with his mentor. He submissively went wherever he was told to go. Paul sent Timothy to minister to the Philippians:
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel (Philippians 2:19-22).
When Jeff Johnson, Mike McIntosh, and others, including myself, were saved, Chuck Smith saw God’s hand upon our lives and began to disciple us. He gave us so much grace. Chuck was like a father, and we were his Timothies––sons in the faith. It took time to develop our spiritual gifts, but God established us in the ministry, just as he did Timothy.
“Christ, who said to the disciples, ‘You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,’ ” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.”
~C. S. Lewis~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
