And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. (14) And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. (15) And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. (16) For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
It is delightful, to behold the zeal of the Apostle and his companions, in going from place to place, to preach the Gospel of the ever-blessed God. He had not been at Jerusalem for several years before (perhaps four). His object, in getting there before the feast of Pentecost, was not, it should seem, to keep the feast after the manner of the Jews; for these things he had done with: but his wish was, to avail himself of the great concourse of persons, which came from all parts at those festivals, to trade together: that he might preach to them Jesus. And, as that feast had been made so blessed, by the first open display of God the Holy Ghost; no doubt, Paul had it in remembrance, and had his heart directed to the Lord with hopes of distinguishing mercy, at such a time. Reader! it is blessed to eye the Lord's hand, in all our movements. And sure I am, our souls are never more likely to enjoy the Lord's mercies, than when the Lord is preparing our souls to be looking for them. Indeed the hour comes; (and well is it for his people that he doth), when our forgetful and inattentive hearts are not looking for him, Isaiah 65:1. But, those mercies are doubly sweet, which, by the Lord's prompting our hearts to seek, are first prayed for, then watched for, and then received at the Lord's hand, and sweetened and sanctified with the Lord's, blessing. Oh! how ten-fold blessed are all mercies, where Jesus is seen in all, and Himself enjoyed in all! Reader! are you acquainted with those soul-enjoyments?