David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 14:14-28

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. ¹⁶ In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” ¹⁸ Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

¹⁹ But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰ But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. ²³ And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

²⁴ Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, ²⁶ and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. ²⁷ And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they remained no little time with the disciples.

It wasn’t very pleasant, but it is something I’m proud of (in a humble sort of way!). I was the new Circuit Counselor years ago, working with a congregation in the call process. There had been some conflict within the group about specific wording in the job description, and I was called in to help. I stated my beliefs regarding the wording – which I saw as unnecessary and even potentially misleading.

One of the members of the committee set a trap for me. He wanted to discredit me and retain the wording. When I took the bait and got caught in the trap, I had to work hard to explain my way out. It was not my best hour. But I believe he was being deceptive. I’ll take being duped over being deceptive. But better to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, as Jesus counsels (Matthew 10:16).

There was even an exchange of letters following the meeting in which he accused me of not being faithful to our Lutheran Confessions. It was a fairly biting criticism. And I returned a letter with an explanation for my thoughts. I ended the letter by saying, “I would have hoped for a more gracious interpretation of my words.”

I’m all about grace. I know and believe that truth is essential to understanding grace fully. I believe wholeheartedly in truth. Thankfully truth is embodied in Jesus who is full of both grace and truth. But in the end, I default to grace. I love how Paul speaks of this in Romans 5, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

I say that because Barnabas and Paul returned to “Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.” Grace is a powerful thing. I love the thought that Max Lucado shared, “I’ve never been surprised by God’s judgment, but I’m still stunned by his grace.” To think that God looks past our sins to his Son on the cross, and that Jesus’ blood covers all our sins, and that his heart is open to the repentant sinner is stunning. I’m saddened by cruel criticism. But I’m deeply grateful for God’s grace!