Psalm: 135

Meditation

Acts: Barnabas and Saul venture forth on what will become known as Paul’s First Missionary Journey. They go from Antioch (Syria) to Cypress where they meet up with John Mark (Mark of gospel fame). Having preached through all of Cypress, they wind up their time witnessing to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul. Attending Sergius was a certain sorcerer, Elymas Bar Jesus, by name, whom Saul discerned to be in league with the Devil. Paul addresses this Elymas as the charlatan he is and curses him to blindness (“for a time”). This prompted the proconsul to faith “for he was amazed at the teaching of the Lord.” (v. 12)

Gospel: Mark 2:23 – 3:6

New Testament: Acts 13:1-12

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 20:24-42