David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 11:20-25

Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Genesis chapter five (5) is the “and he died” chapter. It is a listing of the descendants of Adam, with the number of years each lived, followed by the refrain. Nine times in that chapter comes the refrain, “and he died.” It is the proof of God’s declaration to Adam and Eve that if they ate of the forbidden fruit they would die. Sadly, it is also proof that their sin (the condition itself) was passed on to their descendants, and from one to the next.

In the face of fame and wealth, however, we tend to insulate ourselves from the reality of death. Sometimes the rich and famous become so enamored of themselves that they lose touch with reality. They become eccentric to the extreme, sometimes reclusive, and sometimes just plain weird. Howard Hughes and Michael Jackson come to mind in this regard. When a famous and well-loved person dies, there may be a great outpouring of love and grief. But the influence and wealth are in the hands of others.

In the case of King Herod, though he was powerful – even able to withhold or provide food for a whole region of people – he ultimately felt the severe impact of sin: death. In this case, it was not only because of the fallen condition common to us all. In this case it was because of a direct judgment of God against his prideful and boastful arrogance. Not everyone who made such claims received such swift judgment. But Herod did. And Luke uses this to teach an important lesson: God’s word, unlike the most powerful and famous person – stands forever.

On the one hand that had to do with the growth of the Church. Luke’s way of describing that is the phrase, “the Word of the Lord grew.” God’s kingdom will be advanced by God’s grace, in the face of opposition, by the faithful witness and preaching of his people. The important lesson for the Early Church was that earthly kings come and go. The rich and famous have limited influence. The powerful have arms that are only so long. But God’s hand is mighty to save. We will all one day die. But those in whom the Word lives will live forever.

Is there a particularly troubling person in your life who would shut down your witness, or limit God’s impact? He or she will one day die. But God’s grace stands forever. His steadfast love is from generation to generation – a blessing rich and rewarding. Genesis 5 gives way to Acts 11:24, and Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark are about to be a part of an adventure that none of them might ever have imagined. The church in Antioch will send out the first Christian missionaries. The word of the Lord is about to multiply exponentially. Stay tuned, and keep in mind who and what really and truly endures.