Staring at the Sun Can Make You Blind
(Read Acts 13)
A lot can happen in a week. Last week in Acts 12, the church witnessed Paul and Barnabas preaching to enthusiastic worshippers. One week later in Acts 13, the church in Antioch experienced a sifting of doubters from the true believers. Paul and Barnabas would take the real followers to start a church that would endure for nearly 500 years.
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:1-3
It’s worth noting that this is a pivotal point in Acts. The first 12 chapters of Luke’s book is focused on the service and ministry of Peter. The rest of this book follows the work of Paul and his mission trips.
The spiritual leaders in Antioch were a culturally diverse group in a predominately Jewish context. This isn’t a random circumstance, it’s a reflection of the true body of Christ. Luke makes a special point of drawing attention to this. Barnabas was from Cyprus, Simeon was from Sub-Saharan Africa that is now known as Niger, Lucius was from what is known as modern-day Libya, Manaen grew up in the privileged household with Herod, and Paul was from Tarsus. The diversity came about from the Holy Spirit’s gathering of willing souls from distant regions.
New Testament scholar A.T. Robertson pointed out that in the church at Antioch, “All prophets were teachers, but not all teachers were prophets.” The early churches at that time needed both, but for this pivotal mission work the most gifted and capable were Paul and Barnabas.
They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
Acts 13:6-8
They preached in Synagogs throughout the 90-mile trek to Paphos, the Roman Capital of Cyprus. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, was an important man of Roman authority serving under Emperor Claudius. He was probably responsible for the entire Roman province. Bar-Jesus, translated, means “son of Jesus.” It’s pretty obvious that Luke believed that Bar-Jesus wasn’t worthy of having “Jesus” in his name. The skeptic Elymas was a close advisor to Sergius. Elymas is a perfect example of a self-centered man with greedy ambitions. Much like King Herod in Acts 12, he looked for his own glory.
I’ve often believed that people in secondary positions of power who have self-serving intentions are simply envious of others with more power. It’s jealousy, envy, pride, ego, and insecurity. Elymas wanted to do whatever he could to frustrate the church’s missionary efforts. His insecurity demanded that his superior, Sergius, maintained his attention on him rather than these Jesus followers.
Sergius, like most Proconsuls, was an educated man. Was he just seeking knowledge for knowledge sake, or did he really want to know the story of Jesus?
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”
Acts 13:9-11
Does this passage ring familiar? It should. Paul was blinded as well, both figuratively by his hatred, and literally by Jesus Christ for his fiery persecution of Jesus’ followers. The difference is that Paul thought he was serving God in his attack on the early Christian church, and Paul eventually repented. But ultimately, it doesn’t matter. Selfish ambition goes against God’s will no matter the motivation. When we put our needs first, we’re telling God we know better, but stick around in case we need backup. It made Paul and Elymas both blind.
In his rebuke of Elymas, Paul used discernment and operated from a point of faith. He pronounced God’s judgement on Elymas. Paul told him that he wouldn’t be able to see the light of the sun because of his blindness. but I see more symbolic meaning here. Elymas was blind because he couldn’t and didn’t want to see the SON. If we have no need for Jesus, then we’ll never be able to see him. Christ’s grace is available to all. But when we reject and oppose Him, sometimes He might just let us go.
By staring at the sun, we instinctively blink and look away because it’s uncomfortable. Even if we look at the sun for just 2 minutes, sunburn, permanent retinal damage, and even blindness can occur.
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
Acts 13:12
In a weird way, Elymas’ wishes came true. He wanted no part of understanding or a relationship with Jesus. He rejected Christ’s empty hands and open arms. Sergius on the other hand, sought out a place in his heart for our Savior. His quest went from knowledge to seeing to faith. He could stare at the Son forever. Ely mas could not.
Paul and Barnabas tell the Good News
In their travels, Paul and Barnabas were asked to share words of encouragement to the congregation. They told the history of the Jewish people from their time in Egypt all the way to Christ’s betrayal and resurrection. Many who heard their teaching weren’t happy with the narrative. No doubt, many scoffed at the truth of the resurrection. Many were jealous of the growth and passion of the new church, and launched attacks on Paul.
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We h ad to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Acts 13:46-47
Acts 13 speaks volumes about accepting or rejecting the gift of Grace from Jesus Christ. In just one week, many followers abandoned the Jesus movement for the comfort of their traditional cultural beliefs. This chapter is rich with proof that Jesus is available to all. From the church teachers and prophets at Antioch to Paul and Barnabas becoming a “light for the Gentiles.” Our salvation is for all people who will accept and believe.
While the remainder of Acts covers Paul’s many mission trips, it is not intended to be Paul’s travel log. Acts is really a display of God’s redemptive plan unfolding just as He promised. Jesus is the Sun and Son, the eternal light. When we oppose Him, we get a dark, finite world without Him. When we seek Him, we get grace.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
Key Applications:
- Sometimes God’s remarkable work happens right away. Sometimes, we don’t notice it for years. Sometimes, we’re not even sure He’s working on our behalf. But He is. We should be happy that God’s will is always at work whether we see it now or not.
- Do you know people who oppose your faith? What do you do about it? Pray for patience. Pray for them. Nonbelievers act just like nonbelievers should. When we live like Christ is in us, we demonstrate what our faith is about more than any conversation.
- Read Acts 13. Do you see this passion in your church? Bring some.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.