“As Paul and Barnabus were leaving the synagogues, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabus, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.”
Acts 13:42-43 NIV
Acts was written by Luke, a Gentile Physician and companion of Apostle Paul. Acts was written to Theophilus. Theophilus means “Friend of God.” There’s speculation that could be a specific person. The Book of Acts records the birth and growth of the Christian Church.
Paul and Barnabus have been going around to the synagogues performing miracles and preaching about Jesus to Jewish people. The Jewish leaders had rejected Jesus; it’s how he was crucified. Paul and Barnabus are speaking to Jewish people. However, the church is so encouraged by them, that they are invited to speak again the following week.
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They begin to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.”
Acts 13:44-45 NIV
There is no other more important person than the Apostle Paul that worked to spread the message of Christianity. He wrote most of the books of the New Testament. Barnabus, his real name is Joseph. He got the nickname from the apostles because Barnabus means “Son of Encouragement.” He carries a lot of influence, people are drawn to him naturally. He’s also known to convert a lot of non-Christians to Christianity.
Yet, both of these men because of the crowds they drew are being undermined. The people were so encouraged the previous week that they invited them back to speak and now their message is being undermined and they are being abused. This used to be really hard for me. How can you be spreading good and people come against you? How can you be spreading good and people reject you? How can you be spreading good and people are convicted to misunderstand you?
We realize that their rejection, misunderstanding, and harm doesn’t have anything to do with us. The people are jealous and they are willing to stop the spread of Christianity (or even your good deed) at the expense of their personal feelings.
“Jesus left and went to his hometown accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue and many who heard him were amazed.
‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
Mark 6:1-5 NIV
Jesus! JESUS! He cannot perform many miracles in his hometown because the people closest to Him don’t believe in Him. Like…Jesus, actually experienced this?! His brothers actually rejected that He is the Messiah and they made fun of him!
We recognize this is human nature. The closer the relationship, the more we experience lack of support. The more we grow and others around us are not keeping pace, the more they will want to diminish us. The biggest one is the more that the people lack self-awareness, the more they will project all their insecurities onto us. And literally, try to make you at fault that they feel the way they feel. We can’t personalize any of it. It literally has nothing to do with us. And Jesus experienced it!?
“Then Paul and Barnabus answered them boldly: ‘We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we turn to the Gentiles.”
Acts 13:46 NIV
The more we are unaware that this moment is a teacher, the more likely we will shrink and think that it has something to do with our personhood. It doesn’t. This rejection, harm, and misunderstanding is meant to jumpstart your mission. It is meant to give you confidence in your calling, your good, or your contribution. They missed out on the message of eternal life. We keep focus on the truth, they miss out on the good you were meant to give to the environment.
“For this is what the Lord, commanded us:
‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
Acts 13:47 NIV
The rejection was God aligning them to their true path. This kicked off the message of salvation through Christ to the Gentiles. God chose Paul, a man that is an expert in The Law and how Christ sets us free from it. And Barnabus, a man that is known for his encouraging messages leading non-Christians to become Christians. Their rejection is only meant to expose our gifting and true path that God has in mind for us.
“So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 13:51-52 NIV
You leave toxic environments immediately. They “shook the dust off their feet” as a physical reminder that you don’t take any of the residue of an experience that was meant to harm you and God made it all good! Glory! They were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!!
Mostly, we realize that the better we get at identifying misalignment, the sooner we get to the place that God has in mind for us and that place is ready to steward our gifts. We accept that strangers accept us at face value and people closest to us, will work to discredit us; human nature.
“Do not speak to fools,
for they will scorn your prudent work.”
Proverbs 23:9 NIV
God says there are some people we don’t even speak to and try to explain things. They are only on your path as a stumbling block. Recognize the fools and actively avoid them.
