Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Word
“Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.” Act 14:24-25
Meditation
Today’s meditation is written by Julianna Shults.
I used to skim past Bible verses like these from Acts. On the surface they seem like filler with a list of places I can’t pronounce. They fall between a riveting story about Paul being stoned but not dying and a fascinating gathering of leaders in Jerusalem. These cities Paul and Barnabas passed through seem to hold little meaning. So why did God inspire these verses? We may not know for certain, but I read them a bit more carefully now.
Throughout Acts we see disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit traveling to share the Gospel and plant new churches. As they moved from place to place, God was at work in them every step of the way. When they passed through these places, it wasn’t by accident. They weren’t meaningless layovers en route to somewhere better. We may only have city names in these verses, but that’s enough to tell us they were valuable to God.
God sent them to Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, and Attalia because these were filled with people whom God lovingly created. Paul and Barnabas go, perhaps only for a short time, to share something of eternal value: Jesus. In every single city they came to, the Holy Spirit worked through Paul, Barnabas, and others to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus and build Christ-centered communities and relationships that would last beyond their visit.
Perhaps this list of cities doesn’t hold much meaning to you or me today as we skim past it in Acts. They take up just a verse, but like all stories in God’s Word, short or long, they hold great value. In sending Paul and Barnabas there, God shows no one is unimportant or lost to God.
When I read these verses now, I am reminded of the vastness of God’s love and God’s desire for everyone to come to a saving knowledge of Him. In our Baptism, he graciously gifts us faith and forgiveness. Even if our story seems short and filled with failure, the Holy Spirit brings forgiveness, gathers us in community, and sends us out to share God’s love and hope. Because we have been loved, we can have sanctified eyes for people in the margins whom God is calling us to serve. May we, like Paul, full of God’s Spirit know the value of all those God created and be empowered to shine the love of Christ to them as we pass by.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, these cities long ago remind us that you love all those you created. Even when we feel abandonment or failure, remind us of your good gifts of grace, forgiveness and love. Remind us that we are valued in your site and made a part of your family through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Send us like Paul to share that good news with all we pass by. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer for the Spirit in Those Around Me
- For the Spirit to work faith in the hearts of those far from God, especially for my family and friends who do not know God as I do. I name them now . . .
- For the fruits of the Spirit in me and those I know: that my roots grow down deeper that fruit may sprout up. For more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Fill us when spiritually empty, strengthen us when weak, compel us when doubts conspire against me.
- For more people to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)