Author: Brian Burdett

“Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.” – Acts 15:37-38

In Christ, people change. They can (and should) grow, mature, and move past their mistakes. During that process, not everyone will see or trust the progress, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. In the past, John Mark had failed Paul and Barnabas, abandoning them in the midst of a mission trip. In Acts 15, Barnabas was ready to give him another chance but Paul wasn’t. Their disagreement was so firm that they concluded they couldn’t work together. Barnabas wasn’t going to go without John Mark. Paul wasn’t going to go with him. They decided to split up and carry the Gospel more places through two teams than they could have with just one.

Who was right in this case? We don’t actually know. The Bible tells us that eventually John Mark and Paul would be reconciled and that Mark would prove himself quite useful to Paul in ministry. But was he ready for that in Acts 15? We simply don’t know. Nonetheless, this story gives us some useful things to think about…

Barnabas was a habitual encourager, an optimist who always saw the best in people as they were growing and changing. He had vouched for Paul when no other Christian trusted him. Barnabas was clearly right to keep believing in John Mark’s ability to grow and mature into a faithful servant of Christ. Eventually this young man would write the Gospel of Mark! On the other hand, Paul had an important task at hand. He needed teammates he could rely on and he just wasn’t there yet with John Mark. He wasn’t necessarily wrong. Sometimes, good Christians simply disagree in their assessment of someone’s present readiness vs. future potential.

Thankfully, Paul and Barnabas knew how to disagree in a way that advanced God’s mission and honored Him. They didn’t seek to crush the other person. They didn’t burn the bridges of their relationship. They just recognized that for the time being they needed to go their separate ways to advance God’s Kingdom. Do you know how to disagree with other Christians in this God-honoring way or do you still disagree in the scorched earth, take no prisoners manner our culture loves?

Do you recognize that in Christ, people can grow and change? Even if you conclude that you can’t work together with someone at the moment, do you keep the doors open to future reconciliation, relationship, and cooperation rooted in the confidence of Christ’s power to transform His people? Do you live in a way meant to encourage that change, believing the best about people’s potential in Christ? #FollowJesus

“And you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord, thirteen bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old; they shall be without blemish;” – Numbers 29:13

The vast complexity and unceasing pattern of bloody animal sacrifices in the Old Testament point to a few crucial, yet simple, truths. Sin is actually rebellion against the God Who rightfully created and rules the universe. Sin causes death and the only way for sin to be forgiven is through the sacrificial death of something innocent. Sin is so pervasive in our lives that constantly sacrificing innocent animals can’t really save us. We need a Savior!

The relentless recitation of rules and laws related to animal sacrifices points us to our actual need. We need a single, once-for-all sacrifice that can take away all our sins forever. That sacrifice was made by Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus lived a life without blemish, a perfect life without sin despite being tempted in every way imaginable. As a man, He was nailed to a cross as our representative, paying the penalty for our sins so we won’t have to. As fully God, Jesus carried all our sins, past, present, and future, upon His shoulders as He suffered and died on that cross. His innocent, divine blood paid the penalty for all our sin, something no mere animals could ever do.

Jesus died, was buried, and physically rose from the dead on the third day. He appeared to hundreds of witnesses who lived the rest of their lives and went to their deaths to proclaim this truth. If you put your faith in Jesus as your Lord, then His sacrifice has paid for your sins and you are free from the eternal penalty for them. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system. He is the final, ultimate, perfect sacrifice and He’s done for you what no number of animal sacrifices could. If you believe in Him, Jesus has set you free from sin’s power and sin’s consequence. In Christ, you are forgiven and free to live forever in the newness of eternal life. #FollowJesus

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” – Acts 14:15

When things go well, to whom do you give credit? Paul and Barnabas had done a great thing, healing a disabled man. Seeing this miracle, the crowd was so impressed that they declared Barnabas and Paul to be gods and were ready to celebrate them in a major way. Realizing what was happening, they quickly gave all credit to the one true God.

In your life, you’ve probably done some pretty great things. People may well have celebrated your accomplishments. When that happened, to whom did you give credit? Without resorting to fake humility, did you use that opportunity to point people to the God Who gifted you with the ability to do those things or did you simply enjoy the praise of others? Did you use that opportunity to promote yourself or promote the knowledge of God? Did you use the celebration to point toward what is ultimately good – life in Christ or to merely live in the moment?

Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve let past moments be about you rather than the God Who made and saved you. If you’ve tended to let people praise and celebrate your accomplishments in the past, turn that over to God and ask His forgiveness. Look for ways going forward to turn any celebration of you into an opportunity to share the truth of God’s blessing, presence, faithfulness, and work in your life. #FollowJesus

“Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” – Numbers 20:8

Moses was frustrated with the people of Israel. He was frustrated with their constant doubts, demands, and questions. It’s quite understandable in human terms, of course! Unfortunately, when God told Moses to gather the people and just speak to a rock to produce water in a manner that would bring glory to God, his anger got the best of him. Instead of simply speaking to the rock in the name of God, Moses rebuked the people. He made a show of his power and authority by striking the rock with his staff to produce water. He made the whole situation about himself rather than about God. God gave water to His people, but Moses had not trusted in God and rested in Him. He’d let his frustration win and undermined the glory of God.

For his lack of trust and obedience, Moses missed out on entering the Promised Land himself. He’d been a faithful servant. He’d done extraordinary things for God. He loved and spoke with God. But when given clear instructions by God, he’d disobeyed. For that, there were consequences. This seems harsh, but God has extremely high standards for those who lead in His name.

Regardless of whether you’re a leader or a faithful follower, let this story be a reminder to cultivate a heart that trusts God to deal out justice and vindicate those who are insulted. Cultivate a heart full of the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the heart of Jesus. A heart that speaks quietly rather than striking the rock publicly. A heart that points people consistently toward God rather than making things about him or herself. A heart that can rest in God’s righteousness and turn every frustration over to Jesus. A heart that loves like Jesus and trusts like Jesus, all the way to the cross if necessary. #FollowJesus

“On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, ‘The voice of a god, and not of a man!’ Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.” – Acts 12:21-23

This Herod was a thoroughly ungodly man who experienced the fruit of his ungodliness in a very dramatic fashion! He’d ordered the Apostle James killed and tried to kill Peter. Then when sycophants mindlessly praised Him as a god, he forgot Who the real God is. He should have known better, but his ego ran wild. Then God struck him dead. As a persecutor of the early church, Herod experienced God’s inevitable and perfect justice sooner than most! This graphic story is also an excellent reminder that humility is a virtue honored by God. Our culture could use that reminder…

Today, we casually describe people as “gods”. Admittedly, that isn’t a claim they’re actually deities, but it still misunderstands the true magnitude and holiness of the One True Living God. Such labels represent a fascination and celebration of lifestyles that are the opposite of humble. We praise, celebrate, and follow those who most successfully draw attention to themselves. We live in a world where many people are famous just for being famous. Don’t get sucked into mindset!

Consider instead, those who are faithful and humble. Admire those who labor for years to care for the most vulnerable. Honor those who teach the truths of God without a celebrity platform and millions of followers. Celebrate those who love Jesus and avoid attention so that Jesus gets more attention. Let them set the pattern for your life as you follow Jesus. Don’t worry whether many people will ever know your name or remember you for years after meeting you. Worry about whether Jesus will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when you stand before Him. That’s what ultimately matters, not whether people on earth respect or adore you! The way of Jesus is the way of humility. We must diminish so that He is magnified and glorified. #FollowJesus