Troas to Miletus
13But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for so he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land. 14And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15Sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to Miletus. 16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Paul was hurrying to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. But what is Pentecost and why was he wanting to celebrate it? Paul also knew it meant trouble for him from the Jews if he went to Jerusalem which we will begin to study soon.
"Pentecost is one of the great festivals of the Church. In modern popular culture it isn't nearly as well known as Christmas or Easter, but for Christians it's profoundly significant. It marks the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and their transformation from frightened and confused people to men who would face martyrdom for what they believed."
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/nine.key.things.to.know.about.pentecost/54344.htm
Jewish demonstrators shouted “We will tear down this abomination, you are evil. The Jewish people lives forever! King David lives forever! May the name of your so-called God be blotted out forever.
“It hurts me that they are letting these goyyim come here. It hurts me that these evil men, who have oppressed the Jews throughout history, are being allowed to contaminate our holy sites.
“The goyyim got their way this time. But they won’t the next time. King David lives forever! The people of Israel lives forever!”
https://uprootedpalestinians.wordpress.com/2016/06/22/jews-call-for-destruction-of-christianity-during-greek-orthodox-pentecost-prayer-in-jerusalem/
You would think this was the response to Paul and the disciples as they entered Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost but it wasn't. According to the article on uprooted Palestinians Wordpress this happened two days ago. I take with a grain of salt what I read on this website.
Please keep them in prayer because Jesus loves them too.
So Pentecost is a celebration of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and their transformation from frightened and confused people to men who would face martyrdom for what they believed."
What about you? Do you celebrate Pentecost?
Would you face martyrdom for your belief in Jesus Christ? Sadly I believe most Christians would not. They would run away in fear.
What about me? I feel down in my soul I would face it head on, but in reality only God knows. I do know I love Him deeply and pray that my strength and resolve holds fast in Him and Jesus Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for Christians around the world that face persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that you give them strength and bless them. Please keep Your hand of protection over them. And if they must die for their faith in your Son Jesus help them stay strong in Your Son.
I also pray for the persecutors of the faithful, remind us that You love everyone and Jesus loves them too.
In Jesus name I pray.
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