Two long years had passed and Paul was still imprisoned. He filled those years with prayers, meditations, epistles, and face-to-face speaking with individuals. At last the governor sent Paul to Rome. He was not sent away respectably on a splendid ship, but as a prisoner, together with other predominantly non-Roman, bound prisoners, slaves sent to Rome to be thrown into the circus, where they should have to defend themselves against hungry lions and predatory beasts.
Paul was not alone. He was accompanied by Luke, the physician, and the faithful Aristarchus. From now on we read the reports once again in the Acts of the Apostles in the first person plural, “we”. The communion of the saints did not end in the midst of sufferings and troubles, but became more deep-rooted and established in the dangers of death. During the two years of Paul’s imprisonment Luke gathered the details for his Gospel and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles from eyewitnesses. He copied texts from the compiled words of Christ, and carried this precious, unique treasure with him during his long, dangerous travels. He made no mention of himself in his reports, his words, or in his Gospel, which he kept inside a folder to keep from getting wet. It was a comfort to see how the three men gathered together in the fellowship of love, overcoming by their prayers all the obstacles that could hinder them from going on to Rome.
They went by sea to Sidon, where a Christian community lived. Julius, the humane centurion, who had known Paul and trusted him while he was imprisoned in Caesarea, gave Paul liberty to go ashore while the ship was unloading and visit his friends. It is probable that Paul was at that time chained by the wrist to a soldier, in accordance with Roman procedure. The chain, however, could not prevent Paul from preaching the full Gospel.
When they had sailed toward Anatolia, the winds began to blow contrary to the vessel. As the sail was immovable and folded up, the ship could not proceed contrary to the wind. They had to row along with the current, getting no help from the closed and wrapped up sail. They sailed under the shelter of the Cyprus Mountains, without westerly wind to direct them toward the distant Rome. At last they arrived at Myra, in Anatolia, where they found a big sailing vessel shipping wheat to Rome, on which they boarded the prisoners. The customary cargo became complete on board this ship, for the capital required bread and games, i.e., cheap bread from the colonies, and slaves to play in the circus, where rivers of blood were shed. In this manner the Caesars satisfied the lazy mobs in Rome, who might then support them in their profligate rule. Today we find the same principles adopted in some countries: much bread for the mobs, and wonderful games to overcome weariness.
The winds along the way were contrary to Paul’s last journey, as if evil spirits were opposing the spread of the Gospel to Rome. The hatred of hell had gotten ready to attack Paul and his fellow travelers. The apostle felt the gathering of darkness against him. He foretold the trouble to come, and warned the officer, the master, and the owner of the ship about continuing the journey once they arrived at a simple harbor on the island of Crete named “Fair Havens”. Safe Harbors was in all contrast to its truth. Those in charge of the ship could get along without their planned sailing to Rome if it meant going through the midst of winter storms. But they wanted to winter in a suitable town, and not in a barren village. So they sailed as soon as a soft wind began to blow, which appeared to them favorable. It was, in fact, an enticement from the wicked one, that he might draw them to the bottom of the sea, destroying the ship with its load and human cargo by the power of his spirits. The devil does not only want to prevent the Gospel, but also to wipe it out, and consume all the messengers of Christ without mercy.