September 10, 2021 – Acts 14

“The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news. In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” Acts 14:1-15

St. Barnabas was a companion of St. Paul in the early apostolic ministry of the Church. He was highly regarded for his preaching and the effectiveness of his witness. Barnabas was a Levite. He lived with the earliest Christians in Jerusalem. He was one of the first to welcome Saint Paul, the former persecutor of the early Church. Paul and Barnabas were missionaries to the Gentiles. Traveling with them was John Mark, a cousin of Barnabas. At one point, John Mark left Barnabas and Paul but returned once some of the heaviest persecutions they encountered had subsided. Once they were together again, Barnabas wanted Paul and John Mark to continue their travels with him, but Paul had a falling out with John Mark–perhaps because John Mark had abandoned them at Perga. In spite of Paul’s extremely forceful character, Barnabas took Mark’s side, demonstrating that he was a man of considerable determination and courage.   

Little is known of the subsequent career of Barnabas. He was still living and laboring as an Apostle in 56 or 57, when Paul wrote I Corinthians. He was believed to be martyred sometime in 61 AD.  

Why do we remember these Saints, especially those who were not so well known? I believe we should remember all those who demonstrated a trust and a perseverance to continue to spread the good news of Jesus.

Let Us Pray,

Lord, we look to the Saints as examples of faithfulness and trust. Help us to endure even when we experience divisions and dissension. You are our hope and strength every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave