S. Acts: 13:6-10
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 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. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “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? 11 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.”
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
O. Bar-Jesus (also called Elymas) was Jewish, a sorcerer and a false prophet. He attended this Roman Procounsul, Sergius Paulus, who wanted to hear the Word of God. Bar-Jesus opposed Paul and Barnabas’ teaching and as a result, he was blinded for a time.
I think he might be a picture of Israel, God’s people. They should have been a beacon light to the world but through unbelief, God has blinded Israel for a time (Romans 9-11).
The good news here is that despite this false prophet’s failure and blindness, the proconsul received Christ as His Savior.
A. God desires us (believers today, the church) to be a light to the gospel of Jesus for others. I desire to serve Him as salt and light (to illuminate the way and to make a difference). I do not want to be set aside (for misuse) and certainly do not want to be unproductive (as was the case for Israel).
P. Thank you Father for this word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be effective and productive in sharing the Gospel of Jesus to as many as I can. May my greatest ability be my availability for you! In Jesus’ name.
