“And the Word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:49-52
Devotional Thought For The Day
The glorious message of the book of Acts is the “spreading” of the “Word of the Lord.” This was carried out by the apostles and those who were trained by them, but the historical narrative is quite clear that the cause and power of this blessing seeping into various parts of the Roman Empire was God Himself. The Word was spreading even though the servants of that Word suffered rejection and persecution and expulsion. Sometimes they suffered worse. Although the suffering and death of His servants is precious to the Lord [Is. 63:9; Ps. 116:15], what actually happened to them, what unbelieving and wretched people thought they could do to them, didn’t really matter in the larger scheme of things, what God was accomplishing. Regardless of who or what opposed the growth of the kingdom of God, over and over again we read that “the Word of the Lord was spreading,” having success in the hearts and minds of people. Sometimes we are too narrow in our thinking about this, looking at things only from a personal perspective. The reality – when viewed from above – was that light was taking over the darkness one heart at a time, and often in many hearts at a time. The darkness that was being dispelled was grotesque idolatry, immorality, superstition, and hatred of God, the only True and Living God. It must have looked like dawn creeping over the land at sunrise.
The response of the “respectable” people, the “devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city,” was dreadful. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them from their district. Luke must have been amused by his ironic choice of adjectives. They may have been of “high standing,” but in what sense were they “devout” and “leaders” when they could stoop so low as to reject the Gospel and actually engage in violence against those who brought such a gift to them? It is no different today, whether in uncivilized parts of the world that are only slightly Christianized, or the modern and civilized parts of the world that have a long history of Christian influence. The loftier people, the rich and powerful, to a large degree remain opposed to Christianity and even to the common good – although they parade about as “devout” and as the “leaders.” At times the church is subject to their persecution – their lack of support and cooperation with the good the church seeks to bring to their “district,” and at times their absolute obstruction and interference with the free exercise of Christian witness, ministry, caring, and compassion for others. Yet, such “elites” continue to posture as if they are truly “devout,” “respectable,” and truly “leading.” But it doesn’t really matter, for God will do as He pleases, and His Word will spread as He sees fit. And the time will come when His servants will simply “shake off the dust” and leave them to darkness and destruction.
The surprising response of the disciples [believers] to all of this was joy, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, joy that the Word of the Lord was spreading, but joy even in what they had to endure and the rejection they encountered. Personally, I would prefer universal acceptance of the Gospel and complete victory for the Gospel and the kingdom of God, and I get cranky when I encounter the recalcitrance and self-condemnation of those who oppose the spread of the light and goodness of God. It angers me when people reject what is the ultimate good for themselves, and also try to obstruct and hinder that good from coming to others. Unlike Paul and Barnabas, we don’t get to shake the dust off and leave. Nonetheless, I suspect that we need to rethink our assumptions about the spread of the word of the Lord, about the difficulty of it, and about the frustrations and trials and persecutions that at times come our way. And we shouldn’t be surprised when it is the “elites,” the supposed “leaders” of the community that get in the way and stir up the obstructions and interference. They have been doing this in cities, districts, and regions for centuries. The political and ruling powers of virtually all “regions” and times in human history have seldom been welcoming and endorsing of Christianity. Their job is to rule people, manipulate and perhaps even enslave them; Christianity frees people and gives them dignity and strength.
So there is need for us to continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit as we do what we can for the spread of the Word of the Lord in our “district” today. And perhaps there is need for us to regain a realistic perspective, so that we also can be filled with joy at the spread of the Word, rather than depressed at the negativity and oppression against the Word. After all, we are attempting to dispel the darkness and take over another’s kingdom. We need to remember that ultimately this is God’s task, and He has His own agenda and timing. We are not responsible for the “successes” or “failures” of a given day in the kingdom; we are responsible to be faithful, and to continue on in faith and joy in the privilege of serving Him, and of being on the right side [regardless of what the social and civic “leaders” might say]. And if persecution and affliction comes our way, let us remember that this is precious to the Lord, and we are never alone in our afflictions. May His Word spread once again in our districts, in our nation!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus give us ongoing courage and joy in carrying the light of Your Word and Your love into the darkness of our cities and districts. Keep us from gloom and depression when we see the prevailing rejection of Your kingdom and the opposition of the unbelieving. Grant us fullness of Your Spirit that we have enthusiasm for our work. Let us also see the success and power of Your Word as it spreads in hearts, so that we remain certain and confident that Your kingdom will come and prevail. Amen.