Discipleship is demanding. Walking with Jesus and serving Him require courage. God doesn’t insist we look for trouble in this life; we’re not called to pursue pain for its own sake. But when the way of the Lord conflicts with how the world operates, we’re challenged to make a choice. Do we go with the circumstances or do we make ourselves vulnerable?
The apostles Paul and Barnabas found themselves in such a situation. On their first missionary journey, they traveled throughout the Mediterranean region preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. And God blessed their efforts; they won many people to the Lord.
But they also ran into trouble. (I’ll be quoting from the NASB20 in this post.)
“In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a way that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brothers.” – Acts 14:1-2
Many Jews and Gentiles heard the gospel and believed it. That’s wonderful, but it created a backlash. Some of the Jews were jealous of the apostles and feared the success of their message about Jesus. How could God’s anointed one be the victim of crucifixion? How could the Messiah die? And the Law of Moses doesn’t save? Nonsense!
If you were with Paul and Barnabas, what would you do in that situation? I’d move on, but that’s not what they decided.
“Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be performed by their hands.” – Acts 14:3
They opted to stay, and Jesus blessed their resolve in a remarkable fashion. Christ worked miracles through the apostles. That’s amazing, but Luke (the author of Acts) gives us more details. The miracles Jesus performed in the ministry of Paul and Barnabas served as testimonies to their messages. The Lord backed up what they were saying, so there could be no doubt.
Talk about reinforcement! It’s one thing when people argue with you over your ideas or opinions. But when God is proving your points by signs and wonders, well, that settles matters!
The fact that Jesus did this presumes the apostles were brave enough to stick around. That’s what the word “therefore” at the beginning of the verse emphasizes.
Think about it this way. Paul and Barnabas had preached in Iconium with mixed results. Some people believed the gospel while others expressed hostility. Things could have gotten dangerous for them; it would make perfect sense if they hit the road. But because of the danger, they stayed longer. That’s what the “therefore” means! When crowds were embittered against them, they decided to remain. Paul and Barnabas must have known how risky their decision was, but they didn’t cave into the pressure. They stood their ground. They faced the potential for pain, even for death, and prevailed.
Again, they met with mixed results.
“But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, while others, with the apostles.” – Acts 14:4
Sounds like their initial efforts, doesn’t it? Some believe, some reject. The apostles could have settled in Iconium for a while longer.
But that didn’t happen.
“And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to treat them abusively and to stone them, 6they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7and there they continued to preach the gospel.” – Acts 14:5-7
When the threats resurfaced, Paul and Barnabas elected to leave. They would continue to preach, but they would do so in neighboring cities.
Why did they face the danger the first time but flee the second?
The book of Acts doesn’t tell us. It looks like the situations were the same. On both occasions, some people accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ while others rebuffed it. Angry crowds threatened the apostles the first time, and they repeated their intimidations later on.
So if Paul and Barnabas used the warnings of their opponents as a reason to stick with their ministry, why did they change their minds?
The fact that they did suggests that Jesus doesn’t want us to focus on the pains we experience. We have to ground our decision on something else. The difficulties we face are real, but they’re not our rulers. He is.
The Lord inspires bravery in the hearts of His followers so we can be ready to handle the trials we encounter. But problems and pains aren’t to be the center of our life with Jesus. His Word should fill our hearts and as it does, His Spirit will honor our decisions.
Whether we confront danger head on, or escape to a safer place is secondary. What’s primary is our dedication to Christ. If our aim is to honor Him in everything we say and do, He will honor us.
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