Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 20:13-16

Travel in those days was better and easier than ever before in history. But compared to today, it was slow and arduous. Luke includes Paul’s travel plans en-route to Jerusalem, mentioning a few “connecting” sailings.

Of particular interest was Paul’s desire to visit with the leaders of the church in Ephesus one last time (though he didn’t know that). You remember that Paul planted the church in Ephesus and stayed there much longer than in any other of the places he planted churches—three years!

It is interesting to note that Paul did not actually go to Ephesus, however. He went to Miletus, a seaport near Ephesus. Luke tells us that it was because Paul was in a hurry to jet to Jerusalem. Reading between the lines, Paul probably knew that if he went to Ephesus, he would not be able to make it a short visit. The bond of love between Paul and the Ephesians would pressure him to remain longer, and he could not spare the time.

The lesson here is not as specifically spiritual as it is practical. We are responsible to be good stewards of our time as well of as our money. Let us be wise with our time, remembering Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:16, where he wrote, “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”