Acts 13:50-14:7 (ESV)

But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.

This is a picture of where the whole world is headed – division. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. This is one of the most troubling developments in history – and it’s clear that God intended it this way. Matthew 10:34-36 spells this out.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.”

Even though the Messiah came to save people from their sin, there is a sharp division. Some are saved; some are not. This a recurring theme in the gospels.

So will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. – Matthew 24:39b-41

If this troubles you, good. That means you understand what these verses are saying. God’s grand and glorious plan includes a great separation. There’s a higher priority at work here that’s beyond our comprehension. We need to be content just knowing that this is exactly how it was prophesied.

What makes this most painful is that the division cuts right through families. We want all our loved ones to come into the kingdom, but we can’t make it happen. There’s nothing we can do about it.

Except pray. Pray for a loved one you want to see converted. Yes, I know many of you are thinking, “God didn’t respond the other 47 times I prayed about this. Do you really think this time will be any different?”

Maybe, but that’s not the point. Another one of those mysterious higher priorities is that we’re called to pray diligently about these things. The purpose is to glorify God, not to get what we want. If we do get our wish (and that can happen, even on the 48^th try) that’s great, but the goal is to do His will.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies