Acts 14:21-28
There are many analogies or illustrations given in the Bible concerning our life. From beginning to end, Moses calls it a tale, Paul refers to it as a race, Peter mentions it as his tabernacle (tent) and so on.
In our story, our team of heroes made it to the end of the road to a small city called Derbe. At that time, it was the outpost of the Roman Empire in that area, so there was nowhere else to go. Then retracing their steps they revisited the churches established thus far in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. (v. 21)
This time around their ministry was not so much public evangelism, but rather encouragement, strengthening young Christians, and helping them choose suitable leadership for the newly established churches.
(Act 14:22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
In their encouragement ministry, there is an interesting phrase at the tail end of the verse: “...that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”.
They wanted these young Christians to know rough times are a part of life and though Jesus is the answer. He doesn’t necessarily make one’s life easier.
I once heard it explained like this: Imagine we are travelling together on an airplane, and the stewardess comes by with a parachute for me to don. She tells me it will make my ride much more enjoyable and better in the long run. I put on the parachute but soon find it’s uncomfortable. I can’t lean back into my seat; it’s heavy and makes my shoulders ache. Soon I have enough of the parachute and take it off. This is like the person that ‘converts’ to Christ to ‘try him for awhile’.
But what if the stewardess tells me that on our flight, at any moment the plane could fail and I could plummet 26,000 feet to my death and the only way to survive was to wear the parachute? I would put it on! The discomfort I would feel would be nothing because I know the parachute is going to save my life.
So it is with Christ. He saves me from condemnation, and while He doesn’t promise to make my life (flight) any more comfortable (many times it’s a lot LESS comfortable) He does promise to never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Let’s take this illustration back to Paul and Barnabas, one of the points they were making to the young churches was their life would rough. And before they get to heaven, trouble will knock on their door.
Paul of all people knew life would offer hurts and troubles; in fact, Jesus warned us about it.
(Joh 15:18) If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Paul the Apostle, though much tribulation, and a after a very long road, endeavoured to be able to say this:
(2Ti 4:7-8) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Ryan King is pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Westville.
