Fan the Flame - a Journey Through Actsഉദാഹരണം

Day 24 - Saul in Damascus & Jerusalem

When Jesus called the 12 disciples to follow Him, they had 3 years to learn from the Master the way an apprentice would learn from an experienced worker. Apprentices learn by watching the master work, asking questions and listening, then having a go themselves, and over time becoming more competent. As disciples, we follow a similar path. We read about the way Jesus led, taught, loved, and lived, and seek to do the same.

After his conversion, Saul wastes no time commencing his apprenticeship. John Stott suggests that the Galatians 1:17-18 reference of Saul being trained by Jesus Himself in Arabia occurs around this time (9:23), possibly seen as a deliberate compensation for the 3 years the 12 disciples had with Jesus. Even before his training, Saul showed obvious gifting and promise, however it takes time and humility to be considered a leader within the church (1 Tim.3:6). Even so, new Christians can commence sharing the good news about Jesus straight away, as Saul does, before he was whisked away to learn. That’s a pretty cool assignment… being taught the Gospel directly from Jesus (Gal.1:12)! I read that perhaps Saul needed this time to be quiet, grow in humility in his walk with Jesus, before launching his apostolic ministry with different energy and zeal to his Pharisaism?! This may or may not be true, but by the time he arrived to the Jewish ‘head office’, his ministry had already grown something of a following and his preaching was powerful. What we can see is that as disciples and apprentices of the Lord Jesus Christ, the deeper we invest ourselves into learning, growing, following, serving, and ministering like Him, the greater the impact of our ministry. So, let’s keep learning!

Acts 9:19-31 shows us that if you are someone in a learning space right now, rejoice! It’s a privileged position to be excused from the responsibility of significant leadership positions (for a time) to learn as apprentices. Lean into it! And for those in leadership positions, continually investing into our own discipleship journey is the pathway to prominence in Jesus’ church. What an honour to walk with other apprentices learning from the Master together!

Written by Dan Lyons