Scripture: And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Acts 9:26-31 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, Jesus speaks via a vision to a disciple named Ananias, who lives in Damascus. Ananias respectfully responds, “Here I am, Lord” (echoing Abraham, Moses, and Samuel’s responses to God). Jesus then instructs Ananias to go to the house of Judas and inquire of Saul of Tarsus, for Saul has seen a vision of Ananias coming to lay hands on him to regain his sight. Shocked, Ananias questions the Lord, given Saul’s reputation and ill intent toward the Way. But the Lord reiterates his command, explaining Saul is his chosen apostle to the Gentiles and will witness him even to rulers and Israelites. So Ananias does as told and goes to Judas’ house. Addressing Saul as a fellow brother, Ananias discloses his vision, lays hands on Saul, and directs Saul to receive the Holy Spirit. Immediately, Saul regains his sight, seeks baptism, and receives food to regain his strength.
Today’s devotion tracks Saul’s next steps of preparation for a lifelong apostolic mission to the Gentiles—wrought with persecution and suffering. And no sooner does he convert to faith in Christ than fellow Jews catch wind of his turncoat and plot to kill him, keeping a close watch on all exits to the city. So some fellow disciples lower him in a basket from an opening in the exterior wall of the city under the cloak of darkness. Saul then beelines for Jerusalem to seek the company of the founding members of the Way—despite the risk of chief priests nearby. Initially, Saul encounters weary disciples who are suspicious of whether he is a convert. So Barnabas takes him before the apostles and attests to Saul’s conversion story and how Saul has since boldly preached the name of Jesus. Fearless, Saul continues to preach the Gospel to the same Hellenists who sought Stephen’s execution. And of no surprise, they scheme to do the same to Saul. Thus, fellow brothers of the Way escort Paul to Caesarea, where he continues to his birthplace and childhood home of Tarsus.
Luke closes this introduction to Saul with a segue that the church throughout Israel enjoyed a renewed season of peace and prosperity, for they walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Takeaway: Fear begins and ends this passage. The disciples feared Saul because they did not believe his confession. Thanks to Barnabas, whose name we learned in a prior Daily Focus means “son of encouragement/comfort,” Saul gained the needed testimony to authenticate his conversion. Once welcomed into the community, Saul freely expresses his driven personality that once endangered the church to build up the church by boldly preaching throughout Jerusalem. So Luke most likely includes an addendum that the church experienced a resurgence of peace and prosperity to contrast it with the previous season of persecution—marking fear as the catalyst.
What’s the implication for the church today? It’s fourfold:
- Fear of man over God will turn the church’s focus to survival rather than revival.
- Converts bring new energy, often illustrating to longstanding believers that we must keep pressing through our comfort zones to fearlessly share the Good News with the least, the last, and the lost.
- A healthy fear (reverence) of God spurs revival and sparks courage and shalom rest, instilling a sense of well-being and spiritual prosperity.
- We need more than each other; we must walk closely with the Holy Spirit, who comforts and strengthens us.
What is the implication for us as individuals? It parallels the church with a few nuances. Persecution is inevitable, as Jesus warned his disciples (John 15:18-20), but fear is optional. As David (Psalm 56:4) and the author of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:6) remind us, the Lord is our helper; we will not fear, for what can man do to us? Our call is to fear God over man. Easier said than done? You bet. Still, if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to anchor ourselves with prayer, Scripture, and the community of believers, he will strengthen and encourage us to press through our comfort zones and trust God with the outcome. Paul believed and acted on this reality. By appropriating Christ’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, he sparked a resurgence in the Judean church and revival throughout the Greco-Roman world.
Still, the point is not one of comparison. All that matters is that we fear and love God first and foremost because our maturing love casts out our fear (1 John 4:18). So whether we start late or stumble along the way, if we persevere to the end, kingdom economics awards us the same wage as Paul (Matthew 20:1-16): eternal life, glorifying and enjoying the Lover of our souls forever.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who did not succumb to the fear of man but always revered you and sought your will. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who empowers and encourages us to press through our fear of those who knowingly or unwittingly perpetrate evil so that we might move from a survival mentality to one of revival. Still, we confess we find it hard to overcome our worry. So would you please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit to grow in our reverence and love for you and your Son and gain victory over debilitating fears? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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