Acts 11:24

Acts 11:24

Consistency of Human and Divine Affections.

I. There is no hint given that Barnabas acted otherwise than well and wisely in the course he pursued with reference to John Mark. He is declared to have been "a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith," and St. Paul is related to have recognised after many years the excellence and profitableness of the young disciple whose inconstancy had offended him at first so deeply.

It may be asked what lesson or inference we may draw from this narrative. And I answer at once, that we gather from it the compatibility of heavenly with earthly duties, and the consistency of human with Divine affections. There is here set before us the example of a good man, and we behold him insist on reconciling the high responsibilities of his apostolic order with the claims which arise out of the ties of kindred his natural affection for his sister's son. It was grievous, doubtless, that anything which that young man had done should have led to sharp contention; but we know from the sequel of the sacred story that it was Paul who had judged with undue severity, not Barnabas who had acted with undue indulgence. Here, then, the consistency of human with Divine affections is set before us.

II. Such teaching ought to bring something of comfort to beings like ourselves. God has placed us in this world, and made us what we are. It is Hewho has surrounded us with such a curious and complicated network of relationships, duties, ties. And it is incredible that these ought to be considered in the light of instruments of our ruin, traps and snares in our way. Rather as methods of our probation and helps to our perfection should every one of them be welcomed, weighed, and dealt with. For it is certain that there is room both for the claims of friendship and the ties of blood, on the one hand; for God's service and a due regard for His honour and glory on the other.

J. W. Burgon, Ninety-one Short Sermons,No. 58.

References: Acts 11:24. Homiletic Magazine,vol. vi., p. 338; J. A. Picton, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xviii., p. 273; Preacher's Monthly.vol. v., p. 305.Acts 11:26. Ibid.,vol. x., p. 321; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. ii., p. 236; R. W. Church, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxviii., p. 163; see also Discipline of the Christian Character.Acts 11:29. J. Edmunds, Sixty Sermons,p. 480. Acts 12:1. T. Gasquoine, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 364; J. Keble, Sermons for Saints' Days,p. 314.Acts 12:1. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 136. Acts 12:12. G. Brooks, Five Hundred Outlines,p. 218; J. Keble, Sermons for Saints' Days,p. 214.