Manaen’s choice
Reading for Jul 3, 2024
1 Chronicles 25-26
Acts 13:1-25
Psalm 2
Proverbs 1:8-9
Click here for today's full Bible reading verses (from BibleGateway.com)
Commentary
1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
(Acts 13:1-2)
This event takes place about 13 years after Paul’s conversion. The most interesting leader here is Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch. The term “foster brother” means “brought up with.” This means they were childhood friends. The same Herod beheaded John the Baptist, did nothing to stop the crucifixion of Jesus, killed James (brother of John), and arrested Peter. Two men, Manaen and Herod, were presented with the gospel, and they made diverging choices. The gospel is an opportunity for anyone, in any position of life, of any race. Manaen took that opportunity and is now forever memorialized in the scriptures, as a leader of the early church of Antioch, responsible for helping to send out Paul and Barnabas to missionary work. Herod rejected the opportunity and is forever known as a wicked persecutor of the faith.
Father, You can work wonders in our lives if we make the right choice to trust and obey You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen