Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:36-41
Gracious Jesus, as this Scripture demonstrates, there are times when even your faithful servants don’t see eye to eye on very important matters. Our best efforts at keeping “the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” get stressed and tested (Eph. 4:3).
Differing perspectives lead to sharp disagreements, and sharp disagreements lead to painful words and a parting of ways. This happens in healthy marriages, among good friends, and in fine churches. But normal conflicts are one thing, destructive ones threaten the very fabric of a culture and the heart of an entire nation.
The U. S. Senate just confirmed a new Supreme Court Justice, and the toxic divisiveness that was already bad, is now worse. Dr. Ford’s and Justice Kavanaugh’s families have both suffered death threats. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. Our grief is palpable.
Indeed, our hearts are heavy, but not as heavy they’d would be if we didn’t know you to be the Prince of Peace and the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth. Help us recognize and resist Satan’s schemes in these conflicts.
That pariah of darkness lurks, launches, and lunches on these very situations. As your followers and church, we’ve got to show a different way forward. The world will know we are your disciples by our love for one another (John 13:34)—especially when passions are high, and differences are pronounced.
You’re not calling us to be naively passive, or aggressively proud, but actively trusting. How can we offer a redemptive presence to our communities in these coming weeks? Help us, Jesus. So very Amen, we pray, in your exalted Name—the name to which every knee will bow, one blessed Day.
