This is the first episode where Paul takes the role of primary evangelist. Barnabas was there (Acts 13:42) but his job in encouraging Paul and mentoring him in mission (Acts 13:2, 7) was over. John Mark had travelled with them as an apprentice from Antioch in Syria, to Cyprus where they travelled the length of the country from east to west. They boarded a ship from Paphos to Atallia in what is now southern Turkey (Acts 14:24-26) from where they travelled a few miles north to Perga. Many miles following the Spirit's lead.

Now we do not know what happened, but John Mark did not want to continue with them. It seems logical that he took a ship from Atallia to Joppa and thence to Jerusalem. Although this episode was later to test the friendship between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41), it certainly did not stop the missionary journey. From Perga they travelled about one hundred miles north to Antioch in Pisidia – which is near the modern town of Yalvac in Isparta, southern Turkey. The Lord was leading them to this capital city on the ancient east-west Silk Road where it crossed the north-south road joining the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

Paul did not go first to the Roman gym or forum to debate with the Greek philosophers. Even though Paul had been commissioned as the apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8), Paul was a Jew and believed that they had the right to hear the gospel first (Romans 1:16). So he headed to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. As usual there were readings from the first five books in our Bible (and theirs), and then from the writings of the prophets. After that they, as visitors, were invited to interpret the scriptures to encourage the congregation of Jews and interested Gentiles (Acts 13:16).

Being led by God is not always straightforward. However He likes people to travel together. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two (Mark 6:7): solo discipleship is not God's choice: apart from anything else it breeds spiritual arrogance or depression or inability to sustain the spiritual pressures. Friends and family may prove disappointing: you thought they were alongside you but later you realised that their interests were not ministry focussed. Everything may take a lot longer than you had expected, and feel like hard work getting there. But God has prepared the way. He is leading you to people who are hungry for Jesus, even in your work context – so that you can explain who He is and how to welcome Him.