Sons of Encouragement

by Francine Rivers

  “Why would I want to do that when it’s you I love?” She stepped close, reached up, and cupped his face. “Silas, I knew when I first saw you that I wanted to be your wife. And when Curiatus became so determined to have you take him with you, it merely served to confirm what I’ve come to believe: God directed your steps. The Lord brought you here, not just to rest, but to find the family He prepared for you.” Her eyes glistened. “We’ve been waiting such a long time.”

  His heart pounded. “I couldn’t bear to see you hurt.”

  “If you leave us behind, you will break our hearts.”

  “That’s unfair!”

  “Is it? It was the Lord who said a man is not meant to be alone. All these years, you’ve dedicated your life to helping others—Paul, Peter, Timothy, John Mark, the churches you’ve served. And now, God offers you a family of your own, something I know you’ve missed, something I know you want.” She looked up, her heart in her eyes. “It is the Lord who pours down blessings upon those who love Him, Silas. You have taught that. You know it’s true.”

  And like grace, this was a free gift he had only to receive.

  “Diana . . .” He leaned down and kissed her. Her arms came around him, sliding up his back. He stepped closer and took her firmly in his arms. She fit him perfectly.

  “And the Lord gave sight to the blind!” Epanetus said.

  Silas drew back, but he couldn’t take his eyes from Diana’s face flushed with pleasure, her eyes bright with joy. He had never seen anyone more beautiful. He took her hand and smiled at Epanetus. “Indeed, He did.” And I thank You for it, Lord.

  Epanetus stood arms akimbo. “As you told me, Silas—‘You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.’” He winked at Diana.

  The joyful sound of her laughter made Silas catch his breath. Gratitude rose up inside him like a spring of living water. She loved him! She really loved him! I never thought to have this blessing, Lord. Never, in all my life.

  Curiatus shouted from down the quay and ran toward them. Out of breath, he reached them. He looked at Silas’s hand clasping his mother’s, and his face lit up. He pointed back. “There’s room on that ship.”

  Epanetus clapped the boy on the back. “There’ll be another ship, another day. First we have a wedding to arrange.”

  The wind filled the sails, and the boat surged through the Mediterranean waters. As the bow dipped, a wave splashed up, a salty mist spraying the deck, a welcome coolness in the heat of the afternoon sun.

  Silas talked to several crew members and then came to Diana. He leaned on the rail beside her. She smiled at him. “Where’s Curiatus?”

  “Helping one of the sailors move some cargo.”

  She looked out again, her expression rapt with pleasure. “I’ve never seen such blues and greens.” She had the wonder of a child. She leaned against his shoulder. “I’ve never been more happy, Silas. Wherever it is we’re going, I know God is the wind in the sails.”

  “We sail to Corsica,” he said. “And then on from there to Iberia.”

  She glanced up at him in surprise. “Iberia?”

  He saw no fear in her eyes. “Yes.”

  Paul had begun making plans soon after he arrived in Rome. “Peter is here,” Paul had said, restless in confinement, “and so are you. We will have a church established in Rome and the work will go on. If Caesar hears my case and dismisses the charges against me, I will go to Spain. I must go, Silas! No one has gone there yet. We must reach everyone.”

  We.

  Even under house arrest, Paul had continued the work God had given him. He had continued to dream and plan.

  “We have brothers and sisters of strong faith to carry on here, Silas! But there are others who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Someday I will go, God willing, and if not I, the Lord will send someone else who can preach and teach. . . .”

  Silas clasped his hands loosely on the rail. The sky was an expanse of blue and white.

  Up there perhaps was a crowd of witnesses watching him, praying for him, cheering him on. Paul, Peter, all the friends he had known and loved.

  And Jesus watched, too. Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

  Epanetus and the others would pray. “Yes, Lord.” Spain first, and then on from there, God willing. He and Diana would keep on going as long as body and breath allowed.

  Curiatus shouted, and Silas looked up. The boy climbed the mast.

  Diana laughed. “He’s seeing what’s ahead.”

  When body and breath failed Silas, another would be ready to carry on.

  The Word of Truth would be spoken. The Light would continue to shine.

  And God would lead His flock through the gates of heaven.

  SEEK AND FIND

  Dear Reader,

  You have just finished reading the story of Silas, scribe to the early church and traveling companion of Paul and Peter, as told by Francine Rivers. As always, it is Francine’s desire for you, the reader, to delve into God’s Word for yourself to find out the real story—to discover what God has to say to us today and to find applications that will change our lives to suit His purposes for eternity.

  Though we are told little in Scripture about Silas’s personal life, we do find evidence of a very committed man. He was a prominent church leader and a gifted prophet who chose to set aside what the world would view as a very promising career. He willingly became a scribe, or secretary, recording the letters of the apostles Paul and Peter.

  It is interesting to note that while three of the Gospels record the story of the rich young ruler, only the Gospel of Luke refers to him as a rich religious leader. The account of the two followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus is also found only in the Gospel of Luke. Silas was a religious leader and a travel companion of Luke. So the conjectures in this story—equating Silas with both the rich young ruler and the companion of Cleopas on the road to Emmaus—certainly aren’t impossible.

  Whatever the specifics of his life, we do know that Silas shed his earthly trappings of position and power in order to walk with the Lord. His life echoes that of another writer, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Living Word, Jesus. May God bless you and help you to discover His call on your life. May you discover a heart of obedience beating within you.

  Peggy Lynch

  CHOSEN

  Seek God’s Word for Truth

  Read the following passage:

  When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.”

  So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles. He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

  James stood and said, “My judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.”

  Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas.

  The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

  Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encou
raging and strengthening their faith.

  After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.

  ACTS 15:4-9, 11, 13, 19-20, 22, 30-32, 36-40

  What was the concern of the early church leaders that led to this general meeting?

  Which noteworthy leaders were present?

  Who was chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas to deliver the letter? How were these two men specifically gifted?

  What was their mission? How were they received?

  What events took place to part Barnabas and Paul?

  Whom did Paul choose as a travel companion, and where did they go?

  Find God’s Ways for You

  Have you ever tried to impose restrictions on others? What happened?

  Share a time when someone imposed restrictions on you. How did that work out?

  Whom do you need to encourage and lift up? What stops you from doing so?

  Stop and Ponder

  Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

  HEBREWS 10:23-25

  CONVICTED

  Seek God’s Word for Truth

  In this story, the teachings of Christ disturbed Silas. Read the following words of Jesus, and see how they might be difficult for a prominent leader to hear and accept:

  Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

  MATTHEW 5:44, 46-48

  What does Jesus expect? Why?

  If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

  MATTHEW 16:24, 26

  How might Jesus’ expectations have bothered Silas?

  If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

  MATTHEW 10:37, 39

  Why would Silas have struggled with these words of Jesus?

  Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

  When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.

  When you pray, don’t babble on and on. Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

  MATTHEW 6:1, 4-8

  What instructions does Jesus give here? What warnings?

  Who would Silas think Jesus was talking about? Why might he be bothered?

  Don’t store up treasures here on earth. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

  MATTHEW 6:19, 21, 24

  Again, what does Jesus expect and why?

  How might these words have disturbed Silas before he chose to follow Christ?

  Find God’s Ways for You

  Which of these teachings seem difficult for today’s culture? Which seem unfair?

  What seems to be the recurring theme?

  Which teaching is difficult for you personally? Why?

  Stop and Ponder

  Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

  JOHN 14:1

  COMPELLED

  Seek God’s Word for Truth

  Read the following passage:

  On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

  At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

  They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages about the wonderful things God has done!” They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?”

  But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

  Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. What you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

  ‘In the last days,’ God says,

  ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.

  Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

  Your young men will see visions,

  and your old men will dream dreams.

  In those days I will pour out my Spirit

  even on my servants—men and women alike—

  and they will prophesy.

  And I will cause wonders in the heavens above

  and signs on the earth below

  before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.

  But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’

  “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. And we are all witnesses of this.”

  Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

  Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

  Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

  All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

  ACTS 2:1-8, 11-14, 16-24, 32,37-39, 41-42

  Discuss the prayer meeting described in this passage. Who was meeting together and why? Describe what took place.

  How did the people respond?

  What did Peter do?

  What are some key points from Peter’s message that day?

  What were the results of Peter’s message? Why do you think this happened?

  Find God’s Ways for You

&nbs
p; Where do you spend your time and with whom? Why?

  What influence do you have on other people? What influence do they have on you?

  What lasting effect will your life have? What lasting effect do you want it to have?

  Stop and Ponder

  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

  ROMANS 12:2

  CONFIRMED

  Seek God’s Word for Truth

  Read the following passage:

  Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey.

  Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.

  That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

  We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

  On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.