The beloved physician Luke wrote while certain teachers and prophets, “ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus”, and in chapter thirteen and verse seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how the sorcerer Barjesus, “was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus” where we read:
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man;
who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
The verse begins, “Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man;” Luke began with the words, “which was with the deputy” which means “who existed alongside the Roman proconsul or highest officer” “of the country” or “belonging to the arable land, region and territory”, “Sergius Paulus” which means “earth-born or born a wonder, Paulus whose name means small or little and and is said to be a prudent man in the management of affairs as a governor”, “a prudent man” or “intelligent, having understanding, wise and learned”. Luke shared how “Barnabas and Saul” also met the “proconsul” of “Paphos” whose name was “Sergius Paulus” and was known to be a “a learned, wise and intelligent” man.
The verse continues, “who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.” Luke added the words, “who called for Barnabas” which means “who, the deputy Sergius Paulus, beckoned, bid and summoned Barnabas whose name means son of rest and was the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus who was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul” “and Saul” whose name means “desired and was the Jewish name for Paul”, “and desired to hear the word of God” which means “and craved, wished and sought diligently to be endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding the speech, mandates and decrees belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how the governor “Sergius Paulus” wanted to “hear” God's word from “Barnabas and Saul”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about “Sergius Paulus” who was the “governor” of “Paphos” and kept company with the “sorcerer Barjesus”. “Sergius Paulus” desired to “hear” God's word from “Barnabas and Saul”, so he summoned them to come to him and share. God loves people, and when they desire to “hear” His “gospel”, He will enable them to “hear” about His Son Jesus dying for their sins. Anyone who humbles themselves, asks Jesus to forgive their sins and turns from their wicked ways, will receive His mercy and grace that will save them for all eternity. Those who are wise will be like “Sergius Paulus” and seek to “hear” God's word, and then be ready to receive all He shares with them.
Next time Luke shares how, “Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them”, 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