Reading Plan:  

Acts 14

Crossroads

Author: Anna Belk 

“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”  - D. T. Niles

As Paul and Barnabas participated as instruments of the gospel through miracles, like seeing the lame walk, their positions in the community began to gain them unwanted attention and labels from a society that still needed to make sense of what they couldn’t. In what might seem like an obvious and somewhat comical misunderstanding to us,  Barnabas and Paul are placed in a situation to either deny themselves by giving the gospel center stage or rise to influence by fleeting human validation. Which one would you choose? I mean, being mistaken for Hermes and Zeus is no minor compliment. That’s like being a singer and someone referring to you as Beyonce. This delicate situation in which Barnabas and Saul found themselves is what we call a crossroad, that gut-wrenching fork in the road we encounter deep in our psyche. The deep fault here is that as humans, we are all too good at crafting what appears a valid reason to take any road we come to. We figure if things get weird, we can just turn around about halfway down and then try another route.  

Can you imagine how weird it could have gotten if Paul and Barnabas had claimed to be who their audience deemed them? All I can imagine is golden crowns, awkward robes, and someone being served a platter of grapes. What would the outcome have been? Likely their human peers would have figured out their human state soon enough, so probably not well. Barnabas and Paul would have also missed out on their kingdom calling. Thankfully, Barnabas and Paul did the right thing and instead expressed heavy amounts of vulnerability exposing their humanity. In fact, clothes were torn. Instead of gaining their own ground, Paul and Barnabas exposed their fleshly, fragile states and pointed every ounce of holy anointing back to the One that it came from. Their audience was asked to turn from purposeless living and instead give praise to the one God who built the land, brought the rain, and stirred the seas. It was a tough crowd, but the point had been made. Spurgeon said it best, “If God has called you to be His servant, don’t stoop to be a king.” 

Reflection: 

• When we are recognized for our efforts and receive praise, it's easy to let pride swell up in our chest, but we shouldn't miss the opportunity to thank God for our successes or the gifts He gave us to serve others. Make a list of reasons why God is worthy of our praise. 

Family Application: I can tell God, “Thank you!” 

Author: Austin Bourne 

• In this chapter, Paul and Barnabas are continuing their missionary journey throughout the country we now call Turkey, telling people about Jesus. Take a second to look up Turkey on Google Maps. While they were on this journey, God began to do some wonderful things. The people in this region were so amazed at what was happening because of Paul and Barnabas’ faith that they assumed that Paul and Barnabas had superpowers or something. Paul and Barnabas were quick to share with these people that they were just ordinary men who were sharing the news of a powerful Savior named Jesus! 
• God is always doing amazing things all around us. It is so easy to focus on the things that God does rather than to think of God Himself as amazing. When good things happen to us or when we get to spend time doing our favorite things, remember that an even better God made them.  
• Think of three things that you are thankful for. Thank God for making these things and allowing you to enjoy them! 
• Prayer: God, You are wonderful! God, thank You for all that You have done for me. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me so that I could spend forever with You. God, help me love You and Your people. Amen.