Blinded by Grace

Trials and Triumphs in Pisidia

Leaving Cyprus behind, Barnabas and I sailed north toward the region of Pamphylia, eager to continue our mission. The Spirit had called us to the Gentiles, and we could feel His guidance with every step. The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but we pressed on, driven by the certainty that God’s hand was leading us.

When we arrived in Perga, we faced our first disappointment. John Mark, who had been traveling with us since Antioch, suddenly decided to return to Jerusalem. His reasons were unclear, and although Barnabas tried to convince him to stay, John Mark was resolute. He left us, and I couldn’t help but feel a deep frustration. This was no time to turn back. The mission ahead was too important, and we couldn’t afford distractions.

Nevertheless, Barnabas and I moved forward, determined to continue the work. From Perga, we traveled inland to a city called Antioch in Pisidia, a city filled with both Jews and Gentiles, a perfect place to proclaim the gospel.

As was our custom, we began by going to the synagogue on the Sabbath. The synagogue was full that day, with Jews and Gentile converts to Judaism gathered for worship. We sat quietly, listening as the Law and the Prophets were read aloud. I knew that the time was coming when I would stand and speak, and my heart was pounding with anticipation.

When the reading was finished, one of the synagogue leaders approached us. “Brothers,” he said, “if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”

I glanced at Barnabas, who gave me a nod, and I stood up. The eyes of the entire congregation turned toward me. I could feel the weight of the moment, but I knew the Spirit was with me.

“Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me,” I began. The room was silent, and I could see that the people were eager to hear what I had to say. I recounted the history of Israel, from the time of the exodus from Egypt to the reign of King David. My words were carefully chosen, building a bridge from the past to the present, from the Law and the Prophets to the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus.

“And from this man’s descendants,” I said, referring to David, “God has brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus, as He promised.” The room shifted slightly as people leaned in. This was the moment of truth. “The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.”

I could see a mixture of shock and intrigue on the faces before me. They were not expecting this. But I wasn’t finished.

“God raised Him from the dead,” I declared boldly. “And we are witnesses of this. Through Him, everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you could not obtain under the Law of Moses.”

The reaction was immediate. Some of the Jews looked stunned, unsure of how to process what I had just said. Others seemed angry, their eyes narrowing in suspicion. But there was also curiosity, especially among the Gentiles in the crowd. They had long sought God, yearning for something more than the rigid demands of the Law, and now they were hearing about grace, forgiveness, and life through Jesus.

When the service ended, many of the Gentiles followed us, begging to hear more. They pleaded with us to return the next Sabbath to speak again. Barnabas and I could see that the Spirit was moving. This was the moment we had been preparing for, bringing the gospel not just to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well.

The following Sabbath, the entire city seemed to have gathered to hear the word of the Lord. The synagogue was packed beyond capacity, and people crowded in from the streets, eager to hear more about this Jesus who offered freedom and life. But not everyone was pleased. The Jewish leaders, seeing the large crowd and the attention we were receiving, were filled with jealousy. They began to argue, trying to discredit us, contradicting everything we said.

I could feel the tension rising, but I knew I had to speak the truth. Turning to the Jewish leaders, I said, “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”

There was an audible gasp from the crowd, but I pressed on. “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

The reaction was immediate and powerful. The Gentiles erupted in joy. They praised God and glorified the message of Jesus, knowing that this salvation was for them, too. It was a moment of pure triumph, as I saw the gospel break through barriers that had long divided Jew and Gentile. The word of the Lord spread like wildfire throughout the whole region, and many believed.

But the Jewish leaders were furious. They couldn’t bear to see the Gentiles receiving the message they had rejected, and they began to stir up trouble. They convinced some of the leading women in the city and prominent men to oppose us, creating a mob that forced Barnabas and me out of the city.

As we left Antioch, I felt a mixture of triumph and sorrow. God’s word had taken root, but we had been driven out. The opposition was real, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last time we faced such hostility. But I wasn’t discouraged. We had done what we were called to do, and the Spirit had already begun a new work in the hearts of those who believed.

We shook the dust from our feet as a testimony against those who had rejected the message and moved on to the next city, Iconium. Despite the challenges, my heart was filled with joy. The mission was clear, and no amount of opposition would stop the spread of the gospel. I could see the path ahead, and I knew that God was leading us every step of the way.

In Iconium, we followed the same pattern, going first to the synagogue, then to the Gentiles. Again, many believed, and again, the Jewish leaders stirred up trouble. But with every challenge, I saw God’s hand at work, opening doors that no man could close.

I had no doubt that the road ahead would be filled with trials. There would be persecution, danger, and hardship. But none of that mattered anymore. The mission was clear: to bring the light of Jesus to the Gentiles, to proclaim the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth.

And I was ready for whatever came next.