On a trip to Turkey several years ago, we visited the archeological site of the Biblical city of Ephesus. It was fascinating to see all they have uncovered of that once-glorious commercial center of ancient Asia Minor. The amazing architecture, mosaics, sculptures—what’s left of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the enormous amphitheater where the Apostle Paul preached.
One feature that I remember best was the ROAD. Ephesus was a harbor city in its heyday. Around the 1st century BC, an access road was built from the grand amphitheater to where the land met the Aegean Sea. This road became the ceremonial entrance to Ephesus and the promenade that kings and emperors, as well as apostles and preachers, would have used to enter or depart the city. The feet of Paul and John would’ve certainly walked that road. Oh, if the stones could talk …
Ephesus’ Harbor Street was part of the greater Roman Road system. This vast network of stone-paved roadways, once spanning up to 250,000 miles, connected the various regions of the great Roman Empire. It facilitated the quick deployment of Rome’s conquering military force to anywhere in the empire, as well as allowing the safe movement of people, communication, and goods for trade. The roads were built to last and to expand the influence and power of Rome in the world. And they did … but not in the way Rome planned.
Though Rome’s intention for this network of highways was primarily military, it actually served a much higher, more eternal purpose—the spread of the Gospel.
It has been estimated that the feet of the Apostle Paul alone would have walked no less than 10,000 miles on his missionary journeys throughout Asia Minor and into Europe—not counting his sea voyages. Add to this the miles racked up by Peter, John, Silas, Barnabus, and many other apostles sent to preach the Gospel of Jesus. This movement would’ve been impossible had it not been for the paved roadways provided courtesy of Rome (thank you very much) and its succession of power-hungry emperors. Not THEIR plan—but God’s. What was built for greed, “God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20 KJV)
Alas, the Roman Empire did not survive—but the Kingdom of God has. It was enlarged exponentially due to the foot traffic of Christians, carrying the Gospel to the far reaches of the known world. And His Kingdom is still thriving—growing stronger every day. Though the original pavements of those Roman roads have been repaired and rebuilt through the centuries, the message of the eternal Gospel—the “ancient path”—remains UNCHANGED. It’s a sure path … to a sure destination.
“Stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27 NLT)
Who knows how much of the New Testament was composed as Paul ruminated on God’s thoughts and talked to himself while walking those remote highways? How many of the stones themselves may have heard the inspired words first from Paul’s heart and lips before they were ever put by ink to parchment. If only the stones could talk …
Jesus said, “I AM the WAY …” We are walking in the footsteps of the faithful along “ancient paths”—the way of the redeemed that was provided for us by the LORD Himself. “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way [of the redeemed]; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.” (Isaiah 35:8 ESV)
And yet, there are those that DO go astray. They don’t just “get lost.” They decide—after walking a while on the hard stones of the “highway of holiness”—to go their own way. To find a smoother, easier path—less rugged, less demanding, more accommodating. But, by forsaking the Way, they have forsaken the Way-maker. By opting for a detour, they’ve declined the divine destination He has prepared.
“My people have forgotten ME … this causes them to stumble as they walk the ancient paths; they leave the highway to walk on side-trails.” (Jeremiah 18:15 CJB)
If Scripture says “even a fool” wouldn’t go astray on “the highway of holiness,” how would we describe the person who does?
Though the road is paved with hard stones, it is a road built to last. It’s designed to guide us and get us where we wish to go. Though rough, it provides a solid footing in the blinding storms—to guide our feet in the darkness—to protect us from evil—to keep us from wandering into places we shouldn’t go.
We don’t have to understand the way that we take—many times we won’t. There are no promises that the road will be easy—it won’t be. And there are no shortcuts. There WILL be struggles—there WILL be distractions along the way, suggesting that we change our course to a more scenic route.
But, if we determine to stay on the “ancient paths”—if we remember the ways of the LORD—if we walk carefully and circumspectly, our destination is absolutely assured. Jesus has already prepared the Way, and it leads only ONE WAY—to Heaven! The Eternal City of God where we will live with Him forever, in righteousness, peace, and joy. We need not keep stumbling on ancient paths … but, in confidence, we can keep singing: “I’m running through parted waves straight to YOU!”
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV)
