Day 10 - for real

Bob’s Sabbatical

Day 10, September 9, 2009

 

            I had
trouble with internet access (my computer), and spent so much time fiddling
that I never wrote my blog.  I did
finally get my wireless working, so I’m typing this on the bus on Thursday
morning – a challenge on a bumpy road!

            Steve
reminded us of the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim.  A tourist passes through places, places pass
through a pilgrim.  That takes on more
meaning now that we are actually going to places Paul went.  The next few days we will be “backtracking”
Paul’s first missionary journey.  Today
we head south towards the Mediterranean Sea. 
We will go to the ruins of Perge, a city where Paul spent some time. 

            Very
fertile up here – orchards of apples, pears, plums, and peaches.  As we dropped out of the mountains, we
stopped beside a lake and had broiled trout for lunch.  We arrive at the ruins of the city of Perge
(Acts 13).  It dates from pre-Hittite
time, and was the home of Apollo.  We
enter past what is left of a stadium that was not even here when Paul stopped
through.  It is hard to believe that so
much has come and gone since Paul walked this way.  To prove that I am not sitting in the back of
the house in Franklin making all of this up, here is a picture of me at Perge, standing in what
would have been the marketplace, next to a sign for a butcher.  It has a knife and a hook (like they use to
hang meat on).  Paul may well have sold
some of his own tents or leather in this market.

            Steve
talked about Paul and his attitude about slavery.  It is important to note that our
understanding of slavery as it existed in the 19^th Century is not
what slavery was like in the 1^st Century.  Also, Paul expected the imminent return of
Jesus, so people should not try to make drastic changes in their
circumstances.  Many slaves were fairly
well treated, and many were able to buy their freedom by the age of 30.  When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 7,  emphasis was on one’s calling, so work on
one’s spiritual life since the end is near. 
Then Paul turns the image around and writes, “You have been bought with
a price,” in effect saying that ALL become slaves – to Jesus Christ.

            On to
the hotel, with dramatic view of the Mediterranean.  Several of us go for a quick swim before
dinner.  Paul never had it so good!

Peace,

   Bob