Reading
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SAA Notes
Paul and Barnabas’s disagreement over John Mark shows that as Matthew Henry said: “the best of men are but men, subject to like passions as we are. … only Christ’s example is … without blot.” Notice it is the Lord who opens Lydia’s heart, not Paul’s persuasive preaching. Pray always without ceasing!
SJA Notes
Even the son of
encouragement (Barnabas) had discouragement in his relationships.
We’re not told a
lot, but we can know some of what happened.
Barnabas and Paul
had a disagreement over what seems like a wisdom issue (do you take someone
with you that has previously shown themselves to be perhaps a little lacking in
drive – maybe).
But they argued.
These two wonderful
examples of Jesus show us, as examples, that it is _only_ Jesus that is THE
example.
We don’t look to
the copies and raise them up as heroes.
There is only one
hero, one to worship – And it is Jesus, the Son of God.
Nobody else can
stand up.
And you know, we
know this, because God’s word teaches us this. That even the best of us is
broken and unable to be worthy. Except Jesus.
Let’s see Him, draw
near to Him, listen to Him.
* Gracious Lord,
Thank You that Jesus, Your Son, is the perfect and
supreme example. That is the PRIME and ONLY and EVERLASTING example of what it
means to live under Your will, to love You and serve You.
Help us to be more like Him.
Sink us in self that we might rise in Thee.
Amen.