Joined in the Journey

ACTS 12:24 – 13:15 (June 19)

My husband and I went on a long journey a few years back. We flew to upper New York and visited my parents, then drove their car back to California.

We were in unfamiliar territory, and the route home was one we had never taken before. As we traveled, we tried our best to see the sights around us and enjoy the time.

It took us several days to journey from near the Canadian border to near the Mexican border. New places, new faces, new hotels, new places to eat…everything was an experience, and we were glad we were able to make that journey together.

Journeys, short and long, are better when we are joined together with someone else, experiencing the moments together. This is where Barnabas and Saul found themselves in today’s Scriptures. They are being joined in a journey that will change the world.

Barnabus and Saul finish taking the aid to Jerusalem and returned, bring John Mark with them. He was the cousin of Barnabas who went on to write the second Gospel.

The church in Antioch of Syria was unique. There was no one senior pastor. Five prophets and teachers: Barnabus, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul. They were all from different backgrounds, had different skin colors, and possessed different gifts. This was a huge thing because it showed that there was no prejudice within the church based on skin color or anything else. It was all about serving God. It wasn’t who you were but Whose you were that counted.

The Holy Spirit had other plans for Barnabas and Saul. They were to be to travel around Asia Minor, preaching the word. John Mark was going with them to help them.

When they received this calling, the others laid their hands on them and prayed. This was an expression of their fellowship with Barnabas and Saul in the work the Holy Spirit had called them to. It was a huge show of support and encouragement.

So, they traveled to many places, joined in the journey, preaching and teaching, and growing the numbers of those who believed.

They hit a snag in Paphos where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus). He was close to the governor, who was considered to be an intelligent man. The governor wanted Barnabus and Saul to visit him so he could hear them preach the word of God. Of course, Bar-Jesus wanted no such thing.

Saul, who in 13:9 is first mentioned as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit and called out the sorcerer, saying, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.”

And that is exactly what happened! And when the governor saw this, he became a believer. (Wouldn’t you?)

After that, Paul, Barnabas, and Mark set out to continue their travels, preaching the word of God to all who would listen in the synagogues and in the streets. They gained more and more followers as they lived out their calling, joined in the journey for God.

What about us? What is our journey and who are we joined with? Who are the ones who walk with you through life’s moments, good and bad? Who are the ones who will lay their hands upon you and pray? Who are the ones who would go to the ends of the earth for you?

How sweet it is to be joined in the journey!