Wednesday 23 July 2025

Psalm 11:1-5

Background
In this passage, Luke describes the preparations for the first Christian mission into Gentile territory (ie where non-Jewish people lived). It is interesting to note parallels with today’s process for those who feel called to ordained ministry in the Methodist Church: the voice of the Holy Spirit is heard calling for Barnabas and Saul to be ‘set apart’ (v. 2) for a particular task, but it is only after a period of corporate fasting and prayer by the church in Antioch that they commission the two men (by the laying on of hands, much as we do at ordination services today) and send them on their way. The men proceed to Cyprus (Barnabas’ homeland – Acts 4:36) and into modern-day Turkey.

Early on their mission, Barnabas, Saul and John encounter a ‘Jewish false prophet’ and magician named Bar-Jesus (meaning ‘Son of Jesus’). In Acts, there are several instances in which messengers of the gospel find themselves confronted with magic (see also Acts 8:9-24 and 19:11-20). Magic was seen in a positive light in the ancient world, and it seems Bar-Jesus held an important role in the court of the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus. However, he used his position to try to turn Paulus away from the gospel. Paul prophesied, and Bar-Jesus became temporarily blind: ‘mist and darkness’ came over him. (v. 11)

This led to the proconsul casting aside any remaining doubts about the power of the gospel. It is intriguingly reminiscent of Saul/Paul’s own conversion, so fundamental to the identity of the early Christian Church that it is told three times in Acts (9:1-19 and then repeated in chapters 22 and 26). When Saul prophesied over Bar-Jesus, he surely recalled the time he too was busy "making crooked the straight paths of the Lord" as he hunted zealously for followers of Jesus to put them in prison, before being temporarily blinded on the road to Damascus. In Acts 9, God tells Ananias that he has intentionally selected a man who had been breathing murderous threats against the disciples to be his "chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles" (Acts 9:15-16). Paul’s message was all the more powerful because of who he was before his conversion – perhaps he hoped a similar fate awaited Bar-Jesus when he regained his sight.

To Ponder:

• What do you think happened next, for Bar-Jesus?
• Many people in the UK today regularly visit tarot readers, mediums etc. Many are people who have lost loved ones and are seeking comfort and hope. How – if at all – should Christians engage with these trends (bearing in mind Peter’s call for ‘gentleness and reverence’ when engaging with people 1 Peter 3:15-16)? How might we offer the hope of the gospel as an alternative?
• Thinking back to preparations for Barnabas and Saul's mission – take a look at information about the candidating process. Do you know anyone who might be ‘called apart’ to be a presbyter or deacon? Candidating for ministry - The Methodist Church

Bible notes author: The Revd Naomi Oates
Naomi is a Methodist minister, currently serving in four churches across five communities in the North Kent Circuit. When not being rugby-tackled by her two young children, she enjoys cycling, baking and reading Golden Age detective fiction (although not all at the same time).