What Really Happened?

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. [Acts 15.36-41] 

In 2015 and then in 2017 I wrote the following articles respectively: The Way I Am, and Validation. In reviewing these articles today, I find satisfaction that, in this situation between Paul and Barnabas, there is certainly more than meets the eye. In fact, all of today's One Year Chronological Bible reading contains tidbits of information that leave us only to speculate on what really happened in the early years of Christendom.

If we take our "religious glasses" off when reading today's OYCB reading, we can see that the early believers struggled with questions and problems just like we still do today. They were, in fact, just as human as we are today.

For all the questions and answers found in today's reading, believers should carefully consider more than just the 'day's events' to discern whether the conclusions reached were accurate or perhaps not so accurate. We must remember that the book of Acts is a history of the early Church, not a definitive rule book (unless otherwise specified in the text).

The point of today's OYCB reading is to keep spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ knowing full well that confusion and disagreements will arise. Again, all the characters in today's reading were indeed humans just like we are today. Even when we try to follow the Holy Spirit, humans still often make mistakes. But, in light of all this, we can definitely see that those who obeyed Jesus' demand to "go" were influential in the spread of Jesus' message. And, therein lies the story. Yes, there is drama, but, thank God, we have the story today!

Father, I am grateful today for the New Testament record of the development of Christianity even with all its ups and downs. Thank You that, throughout history, You have had passionate and dedicated followers who 'carried the torch' so that we might have the Light today. Thank You that we can see that these characters were, just like us today, subject to Jesus' demand to give up their own way, take up their cross, and follow Him. May we be found so doing, even in all the human messiness it involves today. So be it.