This past Saturday, Kelly and I went down to the Richmond Intermediate terminal on the James River to take part in an event dubbed, “Rock The Boat.” This three-day event was in celebration of Richmond’s 400th anniversary. Just 11 days after Captain Christopher Newport and John Smith landed at Jamestowne, a group from that first settlement ventured upriver to the falls of the James. Although the city would not actually be incorporated until years later, this voyage marked the true beginning of what we now know as “River City.”“Rock The Boat” was an opportunity to see several replicas of the ships these settlers used to make their journeys. One of the three ships that made its way across the Atlantic to Jamestowne in 1607 was the Godspeed. At just 68 feet in length, this 40-ton brigantine was not all that large when compared with some of the other ships of that day. All 39 passengers and 13 sailors she carried on that voyage to the new world were male. The opportunity to see a replica of the vessel that brought the first British settlers to the shores of what would be America was very inspiring.
The evening was capped off by a rousing and impressive performance by the Richmond Symphony. As they wrapped up Tchaikovsky' 1812 Overture, a spectacular fireworks show lit up the night sky. The huge masts of the docked ships on the river were in the foreground, and the skyscrapers of downtown Richmond in the back. It would have made for a poetic photograph showing the past mingling with the present, but our camera battery died.
The tourism tagline for Richmond boasts, “Easy to love.” After five months of living here, it really is hard to argue with such a claim (this is my little plug for our lovely area so you will really think about joining us in November for our lectureship!).
Anyhow, on with the “thinking-food.”
The name “Godspeed” reminded me of the admonition given to us by the Lord in Second John, especially the King James’ translation (who, by the way, was the namesake not only for Jamestowne, but also the James River):
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
2 John 9-11, KJV
Bidding one “God speed” was (and still is in some places) a greeting extended to someone to show support and acceptance. Whether this greeting is put forth verbally or merely by implicative action, there is usually no mistaking the message one intends to convey.
Thus, we must be very careful not to lend our support to the spread of false doctrine by words, co-laboring, or financial means. On the other side of the coin, God’s people ought to be actively seeking works by which we can promote the furtherance of the pure and powerful soul-saving gospel.
Consider the words in the last of John’s three epistles regarding the support of faithful brothers walking in truth…
“Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
3 John 8, ESV
Thus, if we love the Lord, his gospel, and souls in need of its power, we will always use care in bidding “God Speed” to the ones whom God approves.
R2
