RESCUING A KILLER
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Opening Prayer
Lord God, thank you for your Spirit’s speaking into my life. Please continue to lead me into truth and help me reflect more of my Savior’s love.
Read ACTS 9:19b–31
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Reflect
Have you ever seen a life so changed that the change was breath- taking? Not every conversion to Christ is so dramatic, but some are. Did people notice a difference in your life once you met Christ?When Christ appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, he changed the entire course of Saul’s life. He had come to imprison followers of Jesus, but now he was preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. The change sparked antagonism from Jews that Saul would face time and again. They wanted to kill him, and he had to escape town creatively!
Back in Jerusalem, Jesus’ followers were suspicious of Saul. After all, he was a persecutor and might be trying to trick them. Senior encourager Barnabas spotted the need and took Saul under his wing. He rescued the killer from suspicion and helped to launch a powerful ministry!
Again, the Jews decided to kill this troublemaker, and again, the Christians rescued him and sent him off to his hometown of Tarsus. The church grew as the disciples were encouraged in their witness, even without the new young evangelist in their midst.
Apply
Often, a new follower of Jesus struggles to get going in ministry. How might you be a Barnabas—one who can spot what God is doing in a young believer and do whatever is needed to help launch that person into a life of effective ministry?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, I ask that you use my Christian community to lead people to Christ. Give us zeal to come alongside them with wisdom and build them up in their new faith.
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