Acts 14:21-27: Muscle and Sinew
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Jacob Jordaens: The Apostles, St. Paul and St. Barnabas at Lystra
What is our vision of heaven and eternal happiness? How do we imagine the work of the kingdom? Paul and Barnabas today show us that discipleship calls for muscle and sinew just as much as it calls for faith, hope and love. We might learn something from this reading today. These two ardent followers of Christ show us just what kingdom work looks like.
Proclaim the good news – We always have the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection before us.
Strengthen the spirits of the disciples – We always have the Spirit of God to guide us.
Exhort the disciples to persevere in faith – We always have the energy of Christ within us.
Appoint elders – We always have the power and wisdom of God moving us.
Commend the faithful to the LORD with prayer and fasting – We always have the grace of the Spirit to console us.
Call the faithful together to report your progress – We always have the voice of Jesus to call us.
When we join in the work of building the kingdom, we will always have the muscle and sinew for the task before us.
They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. (Mark 16:20)
To learn more about Paul and Barnabas in Lystra, read Acts 14:8-28.
Image rom: https://www.wikiart.org/en/jacob-jordaens/the-apostles-st-paul-and-st-barnabas-at-lystra-1616
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