Promised End

Acts 9:25-28

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

How messed up do you have to be for a group of believers to seize you, put you in a basket, and send it. My, it lends a whole new meaning to our term, basket case. For indeed, it was a basket case alright. Imagine that is the only way for you to escape because you are that noisy. I would think the disciples likely had to shush a few howls on the way down as well. I hear some do you saying, 'how can you be so sure?' Well, we are talking about the same Saul that fell off his horse and became blinded, are we not. He was caught up into third Heaven yet knew not where he was. Then he fasted and prayed for three days yet did not die. I hardly think I need to continue. In this as in most things, I see the provision of God. God protected his chosen apostle through all these dangers untold. Yet worse would be to come. When he comes to the city, he wishes to join the believers again as was his want before.

Some of you may have noticed that there is something about you that draws people. It might be the wrong sort of unwanted attention. But they are drawn, nonetheless. My friends, it is less about you and more to do with Jesus. There is something about his name that makes the demons flee. Hell shudders. Those who worship themselves must bow before him. Sickness must give way. Persecution must cease before the name. At the mention of the name of Philippians 2:10-11, every knee bows before him. Yet look at the little faith of the church which had suffered much. It is little wonder that the church at Jerusalem feared for their lives. They worried about yet another one of the devil's tricks. But after knowing God as they did, they ought not to have been afraid. What would have been had they only believed that all things were working out for their good and for God's glory. Now Saul stands before them as brother Saul. They have seen it all before. Why should they doubt him now. My friends it is a very natural reaction for those suffering much. God sees, he knows, and he understands even this too. But God is just not like us.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

This text asks the question, with whom are you. Saul is seen here hanging out with Barnabas. The word taken indicates he was seized and held onto as one would do a priceless thing. Barnabas, according to many, means son of consolation. One of my favorite stories of the old evangelists is told of Susannah Wesley. She was the wife of John Wesley, who once named her cat that. To be sure, the cat brought them much comfort she often testified. Of this you can be certain, Barnabas the disciple was not a cat. Although he does sound like a close cousin to the other murderer Barabbas of Mark 15:11 who was released instead of Jesus. Regardless of whether we have the wrong guy, this disciple had a comforting ministry. Imagine him breaking into your home armed with tissues, the Scripture, and a thus saith the Lord. My, the early church had some issues indeed. Imagine being so messed up that more comfort and teaching is found at the hands of murderers who knew the Lord. Then came a stranger from a ship-building land who breathed out threats and provided for the early disciples by hauling them away. But before you judge them too harshly, you must remember where they came from. This is even the time of the daughters of Jerusalem and Zion as prophesied by Solomon's Song.

These are some dark, dark days we live in today. But today's times can certainly be no worse than those then. We act so civilized today. But imagine the outcry of our day caused by what the Roman emperors considered sport. Then consider what the Jewish leaders routinely did unto their own people. If you will recall Saul did the same before the Lord's call. Here Barnabas is seen rebuking the disciples for their lack of faith. He says to them, 'did you not see him with you as you went in and out, there and back again.' My friends, Saul was sort of like the angel of the Lord that stood by him. Acts 27:23-25 tells of that night while he was in chains but in a dark and twisted sort of way. Yet the disciples had been to prison and back but suffered no hurt. There was a persecution, yes. But it was not as it could have been, not there at least. See the great faith of this man Barnabas. He should know having once experienced such grace himself. So also, should the other believers of the church at Jerusalem. Yet because of their location, the persecution, and the things witnessed they did not.