The Yes

Acts 11:25-26

“25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

For nine years Saul had labored in Tarsus after fleeing to Tarsus from Jerusalem by way of Caesarea.  There he worked but what he did we do not know for sure.  More than likely he preached the gospel in the synagogues in and around Tarsus. Saul had been told by Christ that he had an important mission to fulfill but I wonder if Saul had begun to feel forgotten.

Enter Barnabas, who had not forgotten Saul, and who selected Saul to help him equip believers in the new church in Antioch.  So successful were they in Antioch that the believers there became the first people to be called Christians.  Saul had proved himself to be worthy and ready for his great, important mission so long ago promised by Christ (Acts 9:15).

There is a verse in 1Corinthians 1:20a that was written by Saul (called Paul by the time he wrote 1Corinthians) that says: “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him [Christ].

Saul found his yes in Christ.

Indeed, Christ is the yes to all who believe.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)