Love Letters

Acts 9:29-31

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Imagine being so messed up that the only thing that makes you feel better is a cat, another apostle, and a murderer. Certain emperors of Rome would herd large groups of people into the arena; these would be invited spectators to witness the massive slaughter. Soon it went from trained gladiators to Christians huddled together with their own families. They praised God as they were torn apart by the wild animals. Their political prisoners also were crucified in a manner like Jesus. Their bodies would then be left to the rain and weather as warnings to others. I am not saying any of it was right. Neither was Saul. Later he would simply refer to those rulers of 1 Timothy 2:2 as "all in authority." Rather look at the times of those to whom Hebrews 11 was written. I wonder if at times like these Saul would stand before the people. He felt their fear and uncertainty. They doubted much not knowing whom to trust. Their own leaders had betrayed, lied, deceived, and misled them. Here they stood as in Matthew 9:35 like sheep having no shepherd. They are as ones seeking rest yet finding none as kind as Jesus. Saul would stand there bravely trying not to cry. Then finding whatever God had for him to say, he offered it to them. I can see him now late at night after he got home. His candle was lit and sat in the window. He was hunched over pen and paper writing unto the churches. To which one he knows not yet. But I imagine the first one was written to the church that was going through something.

In other words, it was written to the church that was being persecuted. We see this echoed in Hebrews 11 and again later throughout his writings. Some of us need someone like Barnabas to encourage us. As the Philippian jailor of Acts 16:28, some of us need to know that "we are all here." Thus, we should do ourselves no harm. Some of us would be encouraged by more than a few Barnabas if we only allowed the Lord to use them. In these places there is a space between our son of the Father and the son of consolation. How many of you know that the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, though in the pigpen, was still a son. When he came home, he was yet a son. When he returned to his duties, he became like the elder brother. But sons must stay with their fathers and their families. Thus, Saul had to walk away alone. Certainly, there is something to be seen in his disputing with the Grecians who were engaging in some sloppy living. I imagine after all this, the disciples were glad to send him away quietly to Tarsus, his own hometown. Note, however, their doing so led him by way of Cesarea Philippi, the place of contentment. Saul had every opportunity to preach Jesus unto all. However, he is yet learning at the feet of Christ. We will soon see more of him in future texts.

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Most churches today have not got a clue about the times of those days. They sit on their fluffy little pews, sing about the love of Jesus, and pet their feelings and each other. I get that we all come from some different geographical areas and some strange times. However, when the gospel is preached, these should not be a hindrance. They ought not to be a stopping point nor a place of contention as they are for some. But how many of you know that the gospel ought to be just as relevant today as it was back then. I ought to be able to go house to house, place to place with it. It would still be the same message no matter where you are. Saul and Barnabas could go two by two preaching as did the disciples of Mark 6:7. My friends, if you cannot do that then something, somewhere is terribly wrong. Much later in 1 Timothy 6:6, Saul would say that "godliness with contentment is great gain." Just how much was gained is soon to be seen. Herein is the truth of all that happened to Saul and the rest of the church. Three things came from the trial: edifying, walking with Jesus, and the comforting of the Spirit. My friends, it sounds like the end of the story. But when you know Jesus as I do, you will quickly see this is not an end. Rather it is only the beginning. We will see this borne out time and time again as we travel on our way with Saul.