Bible Land Trip: Greece (29 March – 9 April 2025)
Our 12-day Wesley-organised trip to Greece as well as Ephesus in Turkey led us through towering rocky outcrops, rolling plains, steep climbs, ancient ruins of cities, temples, caves, palaces and town squares.
We experienced a modern-day Greece, but can only imagine how arduous and challenging conditions were for the apostle Paul 2,000 years ago. He was a man on a determined mission for the Lord, never wavering or giving up even in the face of persecution, rejection, torture, emotional and spiritual hardships.
Together with his companions, Timothy, Silas and Luke, Paul hiked, climbed and endured difficult, rocky and steep terrain, sailed courageously through stormy seas and encountered often hostile audiences. Not for them at all the travel comforts and warm hospitality we enjoyed and received on land and sea!
Our travels brought us to many of the places Paul visited or stayed at during his second and third missionary journeys between AD51 and AD54. These included Athens, where Paul stayed for a few weeks; Corinth for 18 months; Ephesus in Turkey for three years; Berea, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Neapolis and Philippi which marked the beginning of Paul’s mission in Macedonia.
Indeed, at each of the places we stopped at – God revealed to us the height, width and depth of His abundant grace, one that sustained Paul through his journeys, and the apostle John in exile on the isle of Patmos where he received divine instructions from God in a desolate cave to write the book of Revelation.
“There was so much in the itinerary that reminded us of God’s presence and His protection. Our travels included worshipping on the bus, fellowshipping over food, and shopping as well. We received a real sense of God’s love and care that enveloped us right through,” said Patrick Seah who was on this trip with wife Lynette, and in-laws.
God offers us this same transformative grace today, and so, we are compelled to ask ourselves, especially among all fellow pilgrims — are we set to trust Him more, open our hearts to His divine plan and obey His leading?
Ruins & Rocks Speak, Mountains Cry Out
Even though ancient Greece was under Roman rule in Paul’s time, the country held on very firmly to its rich intellectual and philosophical discourses, cultural, mythological and religious practices that included seeking many gods.
While many of these places during Paul’s time were vibrant cultural crossroads and commercial hubs, there was often spiritual darkness and tension. Rev Lilian Ang’s daily devotions during our journey provided a contextual backdrop to Paul’s experiences, resilience, unwavering faith and the encouragement to everyone. Claris Keong-Tan added: “The devotions really made our trip more meaningful with the soul searching, and challenging my imagination and wonderment at the different sites.”
At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora in northwestern Greece, renowned for its towering rock formations and the Eastern Orthodox monasteries built on top, Pastor Lilian reminded us that our true source of strength and help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121). It is little wonder that the Meteora monks and pilgrims sought the divine too in their sky-high monasteries.
The island of Santorini is a unique crescent-shaped island around a caldera which was formed after a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE caused the central part of the once-round island to sink into the sea. Today like the soaring steep cliffs of Santorini that stand out brilliantly in the Aegean Sea, we are reminded to shine for God and to be a light of the world (Matthew 5).
In Corinth, Paul encountered a city filled with idolatry, corruption and worldly influences. The world that we live in today is no different – we too are easily distracted and tempted. Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to be united, seek peace and to love one another. Ancient Corinth is mentioned in 1 and 2 Corinthians, as well as in Acts 18. And as we walked through its ruins, we remember the teachings of Paul to seek reconciliation, put aside pride, and to find common ground in Christ.
Interestingly, it was in Corinth that Paul was first acquainted with Priscilla and Aquila, who subsequently travelled with Paul as tentmakers.
Ephesus: A Beacon of Hope
Ephesus was one of the stops during our Aegean cruise. God placed Paul in this unlikely city for His message of grace and salvation to take root. He spent three years in this bustling centre of trade, culture and pagan worship, to plant a church and nurture believers.
As we entered the archaeological site of Ephesus, once an ancient Greek city on the Ionian coast, and today in Izmir, Turkey, we were reminded of the city’s significance in early Christianity. During his stay in Ephesus, Paul preached fervently, and wrote 1 Corinthians. The epistle to the Ephesians was written later when he was imprisoned in Rome.
As we walked past ancient Ionic, Corinthian and Doric columns, the Temple of Hadrian, other structures of ordinary life, like the latrines and homes, and then towards the Library of Celsus, Pastor Lilian reminded us of Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians to repent, and God’s call to them to not forsake their first love (Revelation 2:4).
Lim Soo Huat, Mandarin Ministry member, reflected: “In Turkey, the churches that once shone gloriously for a few hundred years, are now reduced to ruins. This is nothing new under the sun – but, will the same fate befall Singapore after our lifetimes?”
We are to persist in sharing God’s love with others, knowing that He is always at work, even in places and daunting circumstances. It is not about what we do for Him, but about who He is to us, and how deeply we love Him.
Divine Revelation from A Dark Exile
The rugged and barren island of Patmos was a place of exile for political prisoners under Roman rule. It was here that the apostle John was banished to for his unwavering testimony for Christ. In the depths of his suffering and misery, John received one of the greatest divine revelations recorded in Scripture – the book of Revelation.
This is the compassionate, gracious and merciful God that we continue to encounter today. The risen Christ met and embraced John in his darkest and most painful moments, and blessed this faithful disciple with the privilege of being His scribe and messenger. This is the same God who will journey with us in our darkest despair, as we trust in Him for the ultimate victory. As He did for John, He will reveal Himself, because there is no place too distant for God to meet with and speak to us.
Birthplace of Christianity in Europe
The Roman colony of Philippi located in Macedonia represented several significant highlights in Scripture.
Arriving in Philippi was Paul’s Macedonian response to a vision he had to go to preach the Gospel and help them (Acts 16:9-10).
It was here that Paul established the first Christian community in the Western world, and where he also met and baptised Lydia, a businesswoman, making her the first known Christian convert in Europe.
Soon after, Paul and Silas found themselves thrown into prison and severely flogged, after Paul delivered a slave girl from a spirit that enabled her to tell fortunes.
It was here in the archaeological site of Philippi that Paul and Silas were imprisoned in a cell that was once a water cistern. As they worshipped late that night, an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, and the doors were flung open. Yet the prisoners chose not to leave their jail, and instead, preached the gospel to the frightened jailer, who then accepted Christ.
Paul later wrote his epistle to the Philippians who loved and financially supported him through his stay and ordeals, while he was imprisoned in Rome between AD 60 and 62. Despite his suffering, he rejoiced that he was able to preach Christ (Philippians 1:18), continued to encourage the Philippians to press on and not dwell on past failures or hardships, keeping their eyes on the eternal prize – Jesus Christ.
An Invitation to Deepen Our Spiritual Walk
Thessaloniki was the final stop in our journey. For Paul, consistent with his messages at every stop during his journeys, the call in his epistles to the Thessalonians, was to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, and for our whole spirit, soul and body to be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, 23).
Pastor Lilian reminded us that we are not made holy by our own efforts, but by His faithful work in us. Eddie Liew shared: “This journey really helped to reshape my view of perseverance, purpose and the power of the gospel.”
For Sudin Chen, who travelled with her husband, Hock Meng, this journey has helped to trust God’s plan and to humbly step forth in faith. “Initially we encountered some opposition, after my husband who is a pre-believer saw the poster outside the church sanctuary and immediately decided that we should go. We have indeed been inspired by the faith and obedience of other members to walk this journey with Christ.”
Months and years from now, when the souvenirs we bought have gathered dust, and the olive oil, sweets and pastries are all consumed, may we each remember only the prompting and nudging of the Holy Spirit as we came face to face with His amazing grace, and His desire to spiritually transform our lives.
(Photos courtesy of Christina Stanley and fellow travellers on the Greece trip)
Read also: Eyes Looking Up, Hands Reaching Out
