The Book of Acts ~ Study Thirty-Five

"Sent Home"


Acts 9:19b-32 (NLT) Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”
    All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”
   Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.
   When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
   So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.
   The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.


Saul began preaching immediately. He had seen the Christ and wanted to set the record straight and bring people to the Messiah who had blinded him and removed scales from his eyes. Now he could really see. He was so enthusiastic that he was ready to debate whoever and whenever. Let's just say he had a few rough edges.


Are there things in your life that you viewed one way and God revealed that you were indeed wrong? Are there some rough edges that need to be polished?


God has a way of changing our viewpoint when we really committed to knowing and following Him. One of my favorite praise songs goes like this~ "Open my eyes Lord I want to see Jesus..." That too is my prayer ~ "Open my eyes Lord..." 


Isaiah 32:1-3 (NLT) Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land. Then everyone who has eyes will be able to see the truth, and everyone who has ears will be able to hear it.


Our righteous King has come and because he's opened our eyes by the power of the Holy Spirit, we really see what He wants us to see. Though we are often blinded by sin in our lives, He is ready, willing and able to remove the scales from our eyes. Sometimes He has to really shake us up to get us to look at Him.


Saul's eyes were so open that he was compelled to preach the truth. The Jews wanted him dead and the followers of Jesus were wary of him, even when he preached about Jesus. Where was he to go? God provided one man named Barnabas who stood up for him. He took Saul to the apostles and may introductions for him. The apostles then believed that he had seen Jesus and took him in. Because of Barnabas' obedience Saul's way was made easier. 


Who is this man Barnabas? He was a peacemaker and bridge-maker. The Lord Jesus applauds the peacemaker. Are you a peacemaker? I'm not talking about someone who doesn't like conflict and wants everything to be nice and calm. I'm talking about someone who isn't afraid of the truth or confrontation but handles themselves with godly patience and control. Do you know anyone like that? How do you define "peacemaker"?


Matthew 5:8-10 (NLT) God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.


James 3:17-18 (NLT) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.


Jesus taught us that peacemakers are true children of God. And in the Book of James, written by the Lord's half-brother, we learn that a peacemaker is wise, gentle, impartial and sincere. Being a peacemaker sets the tone for righteous behavior (being in a right relationship with God and others). 


Barnabas is a great example for us to follow. When he brought Saul to the disciples he knew that they would seek God's will for Saul. They saw fit to send Saul home to Tarsus. Soon we'll learn how long he stayed there. God had to send Saul away for a time to teach him and prepare him for further ministry.

God works on each of us to prepare us for our role in His family. We all have a place and tasks to do. Are you a peacemaker, a teacher, a preacher, an encourager or a giver? Does God need to send you home like Saul to remove some rough edges and teach you more about Him? There are so many gifts and so much work to be done. May the Lord remove the scales that blind us and smooth the rough edges for us to serve Him.