Acts 16:8-12 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.… Sometimes men hear better with their eyes than with their ears. Truth will get in through the imagination when it will make no impression through the intellect. Hence Bunyan was as philosophical as he was ingenious in representing Mansoul as having Feel-gate, Nose-gate, Mouth-gate, as well as the chief among them all, Ear-gate and Eye-gate. But when the grand attack of Diabolos was made it was found that Captain Resistance was established above Ear-gate; but Ear-gate was much more slightly defended. In Scripture there is constant recognition of this comparative ease of entering the human soul by the way of the eyes. Hence we are sure to find some splendid vision whenever a fresh messenger is appointed from God to men. Observe: — I. THAT THIS VISION WAS ADDRESSED TO AN INSPIRED MAN. It found him shaken with uttermost perplexity, and was the only thing which availed to give direction in his present duty. Twice in succession their intentions were suddenly held in check by a power higher than their own. The man of those regions deepens the impressiveness of such a strange discipline. For while the apostle was urging his way east the Holy Ghost was constraining him to go to the west. "Westward the star of empire takes its way," seems to be the Divine rule for human history. Learn: 1. That the great Head of the Church retains guidance of every form of Christian enterprise. It was the "Spirit of Jesus which stopped Paul now, just as He did on the road to Damascus. That we must ask God's decision, when we set about religious effort. We are to invite Divine cooperation in selection of methods, as well as in choice of ends, and so to discern in failure a stimulant to faith, and in success a reason for our giving new glory to God. II. THIS STORY THROWS LIGHT UPON CALLS" TO SERVICE. 1. Any real declaration of want is a call. Anything that has a voice can utter a call. Adaptations to usefulness are direct calls to usefulness. 2. The supreme necessity of a lost human soul. The words which the world at large is speaking are "Come over and held us." It does not appear to have occurred that the spectre could have possibly had any meaning beside a religious one. All men the world over have one point in common at which they need succour: they must have pardon for sin. 3. The "calls" to duty which one has afford a safe exposition of his heart. A politician would have imagined that a struggling people were sending for soldiers to fight for their cause. A philanthropist would find some signs of a famine. Thus each would discover his own. III. HOW READILY THESE MESSENGERS OF CHRIST STARTED OUT ON A FOREIGN MISSION. 1. Note the intense form of expression: "immediately," etc. 2. The finest picture in this world is that of a human will surrendered in sublime obedience to the will of God. The beauty of the Troad is famous: think of Mount Ida, the city of Priam, the tomb of Achilles. But the chief fame of that region now is found in the remembrance that there four men set out upon the sea to conquer Europe unto Christ. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. |
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