David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 14:1-15

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. ² But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. ³ So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ⁴ But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. ⁵ When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, ⁶ they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, ⁷ and there they continued to preach the gospel.

⁸ Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. ⁹ He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, ¹⁰ said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. ¹¹ And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” ¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. ¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Define yourself and stay connected. This is the mantra I’ve used to describe the teaching of Edwin Friedman, the guru of systems theory. His book, Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix, has been remarkably insightful to me. Even the title is informative and insightful. We do live in the age of the quick fix. We want our solutions now. We blame the current administration for our troubles that really had their genesis in policies long gone by. And we want instant solutions to long-term systemic realities.

Friedman says that in every case of disfunction in a congregation there is a “peace-monger” at the helm. A peace-monger is one who avoids conflict at all costs. He seeks or makes peace unrealistically or at the expense of honor. He insists that we all just get along, but doesn’t want to take a stand lest he upset someone. He tries to thread a path that avoids disappointing people.

When Jesus spoke about not having come to bring peace but a sword, he wasn’t being belligerent or ugly. He was being factual. He was not a peace monger. Jesus was not about to turn away from truth. He was not going to sacrifice truth on the altar of popularity.

We see that here. For Paul and Barnabas were emmasaries of Jesus. They were representing his interests. His interests were grace and truth. His interests were fulfilling all that God had promised; things that Moses and the Old Testament Law could never do. And that stirred up the people.

The gentile people were happy. They were now counted among God’s people. The Jews were distressed. Their monopoly on God’s grace was taken away. And the Jewish leaders incited the gentile leaders to reject Paul and Barnabas and their message.

If we believe that faith in Jesus will bring peace we are correct – in the ultimate end of all things. But until that time we live in a fallen world. Not everyone loves Jesus. Not everyone believes in him. I wish it was not so. But I’m thankful for Jesus’ willingness to hold to both grace and truth, and for those who maintain that powerful balance – even at the cost of their personal comfort and safety.