God Clears the Way

The mythological birthplace of the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, the town of Paphos was steeped in idolatry. For a while, it served as the island’s capital. Today, the modern town of Paphos is considered an “open museum” featuring Paphos Castle—a Byzantine fort on the harbor—and many historical ruins. Some ruins contain large and beautiful mosaics, including some that were buried for 16 centuries. When they reached the city of Paphos on Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas ran into big trouble. Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul for the region, had called for the apostles to come to teach him about God. The Scripture says he wanted to hear the Word of God. Here was a seeker after truth, and the apostles were happy to share it with him.

But a man with the proconsul, a false prophet called Bar-Jesus (the name fits, doesn’t it?), tried to stop them from preaching and attempted to prevent the proconsul from believing in Christ.

Finally, Paul rebuked the sorcerer and told him he would be blind for a time. The prediction immediately came true. Amazed by what had happened, and “astonished at the teaching of the Lord,” the proconsul believed.

Jesus is the “Light which gives light to every man.” If a person is sincerely seeking truth, God will clear the way. He will let no circumstance, thing, or person stand in the way of a searching heart.

Key Bible Texts

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: (Acts 13:6 KJV)