TRAVELING WITH JESUS
This week I was traveling back from Pennsylvania. Since I like to save money when I fly my flights usually consist of making several connections at various airports with significant layovers. One thing that I like to do during my layovers is observe people. I often wonder where people are going, where they are from, and who they are traveling with. Every time I do this I wonder about the individual’s journey with the Lord. Are they Christians traveling life’s journey with purpose and intention? If they are Christians what is their journey like? If they are nor Christians I know that they are traveling alone. I know their end destination is one of hopelessness, despair, and darkness.
These thoughts got me thinking about the impact that Jesus makes on individuals when He intersects their travel through life. We have several examples of this, one being Saul’s experience when he was traveling to Damascus found in Acts 9:3-4, “And as he journeyed he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?”
Saul was a man who was very devoted to his religion, Judaism. If you read this entre chapter, which I highly recommend, you will see that Saul was a “Christian Hunter.” He had a letter of permission from the religious leaders to travel throughout the land and hunt down Christians. He would have men, women and children arrested and taken to Jerusalem to be tortured, jailed and even be put to death for their faith in Christ. As He was traveling to Damascus to carry out this work the Lord appeared unto him and gave him a message found in Acts 26:17-18, “I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
When Jesus crossed Saul’s path, his life (Saul’s) was dramatically and forever changed. Saul went from being a persecutor and murderer of Christians to becoming a faithful follower of Christ. He traveled throughout the Middle-East establishing churches, preaching in the name of Christ, and bringing countless individuals to salvation. His name was changed from Saul to Paul and he became the writer of the majority of the New Testament Epistles we have in the Bible today.
Who are you traveling with today? You may be a Christian who has decided that it is best to travel alone making your own decisions, leading your own way, or doing your own thing. If so look up Proverbs 16:25 and realize that this verse applies to you too. If you are not a Christian, I want you to know that making a decision to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior will transform your life like it did Paul’s. While I’m pretty sure you’re not a murderer like Paul was, your life can still be transformed like his was. If you allow Jesus to travel with you. he will deliver you out of your darkness and despair, give your life a purpose, and walk with you daily as you travel down this road of life.
Pastor Tom