Preconceived ideas

If you had any preconceived idea that ancient peoples were primitive and unsophisticated, you must immediately set aside those notions! The last two days we visited one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Lost Temple of Artemins in Ephesus (which unfortunately is now mostly rubble). Then today, we visited the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, which is the fourth largest marble structure in the world! It is unbelievable that people without cranes or air-tools could have made such massive structures!

Just down the road form the Temple of Apollo is a city called Miletus. At first glance you may not recognize the name, however, this is a city with an important biblical reference. Paul met the elders of Ephesus here on his way to Jerusalem where he would be arrested and set off to Rome for his eventual execution. In this farewell speech, Paul said, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24) Paul often called those around him to follow his example because he follows Christ. As we sat in the shadow of the Theatre of Miletus and considered this text today, it was a good reminder that we too are called to a task given to us by Jesus Christ. We are called to love those around us and proclaim the good news of his salvation to those God has put in our path. Like Paul can you say your aim is to finish the race Christ has given you? Is that task more important than your very life? As we travel and explore this ancient world we realize that these were important questions for early Christians. But they are important for us today as well as Jesus insists on being first in our lives.

What an inspiring and wonderful adventure we are on for this trip! But what a glorious and wonderful task we are all called to in Christ!

--Brian Dunn