David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 18:12-23

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

There comes a time when even the most dedicated and seasoned shopper has to power down a bit. Either the money runs out, or the feet give way. So you sit at the Starbucks drinking a peppermint mocha, or hit the movie for a little down time. Such is the rush and crash of Christmas shopping.

In the pursuit of the Kingdom of God, Paul experiences such a down-time season. He is preempted from speaking before Gallio and the tribunal. He takes a few days before sailing for home. Stopping in Ephesus, he refuses to stay longer there and heads for Jerusalem then Antioch. Antioch was the place the followers of Jesus were first called Christian, and the sending church from which Paul and Barnabas were launched in their missionary journeys. In two sentences Luke tells us that Paul went there, spent time there, then went back out to strengthen the disciples.

On the one hand there’s not much happening. On the other hand, Paul is being readied for further missionary work. This time of rest is not abandonment. It is preparation. But for the time being, this is a time of rest. The path forward is not yet clear. Paul is not willing to go totally quiet. But it’s clear that he is waiting to move forward. The second missionary journey has come to an end.

Soon the third journey will begin. In the mean time he waits. He never abandons his purpose. Nor does he let rejection or resistance deter him. But he will not move on toward the next campaign until he is led by God.

Whether we are in the thick of the fight, the reflection time following a big win or loss, the doldrums of waiting, or the initial stages of preparing for the next big thing, it’s a good thing to keep our calling in mind. That calling might best be summarized by Jesus’ words: Follow me.