Luke the physician wrote, “when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles” where we read:
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
The verse begins, “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, ...” Luke began with the words, “but Barnabas took him” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Barnabas, whose name means son of rest and was the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus He was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul, lay hold of, attained to and helped Saul”, “and brought him” or “ and lead Saul” “to the apostles” which means “to the delegates, messengers and ones sent forth from Jesus”. Luke shared how “Barnabas” interceded for “Saul” and carried him to the “apostles” of Jesus.
The verse goes on to say, “... and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him,” Luke continued with the words, “and declared unto them” which means “and related, showed and described to the apostles” “how he had seen the Lord” or “the manner in which Saul observed, saw and beheld the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “in the way” which means “along the traveled road or passageway”, “and that he had spoken to him” or “and that the Lord spoke to Saul”. Luke shared how “Barnabas” recounted “Saul's” story about observing the Lord Jesus while traveling to “Damascus” and how the “Lord” spoke to him there.
Finally the verse says, “... and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” Luke ended the verse with the words, “and how he had preached boldly” or “and the way and manner in which Saul announced, proclaimed and uttered confidently” “at Damascus” which means “in the city of Damascus whose name means silent is the sackcloth weaver and was one of the most ancient and most important cities of Syria lying in a most lovely and fertile plain at the eastern base of the Antilibanus” “in the name of Jesus” or “in the name and everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings of which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering belonging to Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. Luke shared how “Barnabas” also told Jesus' “apostles” how “Saul” proclaimed the “good news” of Jesus Christ by employing His name in a “bold” manner.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Barnabas” became a mediator between “Saul” and the “apostles of Jesus”. The “apostles” knew “Saul's” reputation for arresting and killing the believers in Jesus, and they were fearful of him. “Barnabas” told them about “Saul's” transformation, and his “bold preaching” while employing the name of Jesus in the city of Damascus. God changed “Saul”, but people were leery about his conversion. Many people have “doubts” about a person who has truly given their life to Jesus Christ, especially when the person had a reputation that was wicked or in opposition to God. God loves people, and He offers them “salvation” from the penalty for their sins when they believe and trust in His Son Jesus. Anyone can be changed, and those who intercede for them become mediators like Barnabas between the believers and non-believers in Jesus Christ.
Next time Luke shares how Saul was, “coming in and going out at Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment