Acts 15:30-36
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch,
where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The
people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas
and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen
the brothers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent
off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to
return to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where
they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us
go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where
we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had
deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace
of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
As we look
at these scriptures today we see first of all the importance of
discipleship. Paul and Barnabas didn’t
just go to the city and share a letter, they went and lived with these people,
nourished them, and help them grow in their faith. In contrast we see that Paul and Barnabas had
a strong disagreement over taking John with them on their next journey to check
on the churches. Often times today we
avoid disagreements and I have to wonder about when John left them the first
time. Maybe there was some disagreement
then that was not talked about. We don’t
read about a disagreement or disappointment in him leaving, just that he
left. The passage today makes it clear
that there was more to the story than what we might have realized and Paul was
not quite sure John was ready or that he was ready to minister with John.
At first
glance you may say that Paul was a little unreasonable and unforgiving because
he didn’t want to take John because of something in the past. However if you think about what they were
going to do, the task at hand, maybe Paul felt that John would need more attention
than the people they were going to minister to.
We really don’t know why John left them but whatever the reason, Paul
was not quite sure he was ready to minister again. At one time Paul must have had a lot of trust
in John but now after a hurt, it was very difficult to trust him again. As it turns out, they parted ways and all
were able to minister to even more people.
Each of these men took someone else with them and they divided yet
remained faithful in the Lord.
I have thought
of this verse quite often over the past year.
My husband and I have recently left a ministry that we had been a part
of for our entire married life. Raised
our children in this ministry and served our Lord faithfully there. However, sharp disagreements in ministry
style and vision caused us to seek another ministry to be a part of. I don’t believe it was too much different
than the scenario above, lack of trust, different ministry styles and a desire
to do the Lord’s will that seemed very different than the other party. I can’t really say that anyone was
necessarily wrong but just different approaches to spreading the Word of God
and because of that we parted ways. I am
sure it was not easy for Paul or Barnabas to come to this decision nor was it
easy for my husband and me. However,
like the two of them, we felt it was the will of the Father and parted
ways.
Disagreements
come and sometimes you need to stick it out and figure it out, such as in a
marriage. But when the Lord is telling
you one thing and someone else something very different, be sure to seek the
Lord’s will and desires for your own ministry.
Don’t just stop and give up but continue to realize that He has a plan
for each of us. Even though they may
look very different, they are His way of spreading the Gospel. Stay in touch with Him and His desire for
your life and then obey.
Seeking Him
with all my heart,
Sheila
No comments:
Post a Comment