David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 11:19-30

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. ²² The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. ²⁵ So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

²⁷ Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). ²⁹ So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. ³⁰ And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Our oldest son’s first sentence came at an age of 7 or 8 months. It was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I was graduating from the seminary (or receiving my first Call to serve as a pastor). Diane got out of the car and looked at the night sky. “Look at all the stars!” she exclaimed. Matthew said, “I see them.”

On another occasion we were taking a family trip through southern Colorado. Aaron was driving, and we got out to change drivers late at night. As soon as he got out he yelled, “Everyone out of the car!” We thought maybe it was on fire or something. But it was a stunning night sky. Stunning. And worth getting out of the car to see.

Some things are easy to see and important to notice. A beautiful sunrise or sunset or a stunning night sky are on that list. But how about the grace of God? That seems far more nebulous, ethereal, spiritual, invisible to the eye.

Luke records that Barnabas saw the grace of God. How did that work? How do you see grace?

Part of the answer is to be looking for it. “Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness,” Jesus says (Matthew 6:33). Jesus’ first sermon (Mark 1:15) was an announcement that the kingdom of God was at hand. Somehow people are supposed to notice when God’s grace is present. It is a sign of his reign and rule. But how do you see grace?

In this case it is apparent that God’s grace was seen in the conversion of these Gentiles, now baptized believers in Jesus. It might also have been the manner in which they were received in the church at Antioch. It was surely also seen in the fact that as Luke reports, “many people were added to the Lord.”

Antioch must have been a remarkable church, filled with people of good will, grace, mission zeal, and faithful disciples. This is where Paul was to hang out, and where he and Barnabas would teach for a year about the grace of God.

Grace is freely given, foundational to God’s character, a gift of God to man which is received by faith, and not contingent on human merit. How do you see that?

I look for people whose lives have been changed. I look for kindness in the face of pain. I look for forgiveness in the face of offense. I look for goodness in the face of evil. I look for the work of God in others’ lives. I look for the pure teaching of God’s word. I look at the waters of baptism and the body and blood of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper. I look for people expressing their Christian faith. I look for compassion and mercy from believers toward me and others.

There are plenty of things to look for and see these days. We can get distracted from God’s goodness, grace, faithfulness, holiness, truth, and love. But to look for God’s grace will bring great blessings, for  we may just recognize that God’s grace is also for us to receive and share.