Acts chapter 13 verses 1 – 3 (NIV)
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
It was the part in this portion about Manaen that caught my attention. We are told he had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch. At the end of the previous chapter of Acts we read of Herod’s demise. He took the adulation and worship of a crowd who hailed him as a god, and was struck down as a result. Yet here we see Manaen, not only a follower of God and believer in Jesus, but listed as a prophet and teacher in the church at Antioch. Two lives with similar upbringing. Both made choices. Their choices impacted their lives and the lives of those around them. I’m sure many of the Jewish leaders, and maybe even leaders in the early church may have been sceptical about Manaen, just as some were about Saul. But God saw Manaen’s heart and used him. This is another reminder not to judge someone, for good or ill, based on their upbringing. God knows our hearts and the choices we make.
If we want to know what to pray for those we love, we should pray for them to make wise choices so that they follow the example of Manaen’s, and don’t end up with a sense of entitlement and pride like Herod that they become so self sufficient and ignore God.
Dear Lord,
Help me not to forget whose hand is on my life. Without You I can do nothing. But may I be willing, like Manaen’s, to be an empty vessel that You can use as You choose. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.