Today's readings are Judges 3.7-31 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Judges+3.7-31 ) and Acts 13.42-52 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Acts+13.42-52 ).
Paul and Barnabas, speaking with Jews in Antioch, created quite a stir. Notice that their message of the Gospel was something many people were ready to receive. It was, after all, good news. The people demanded that Paul and Barnabas keep talking with them about the Gospel (at least on the next Sabbath). Yet the Gospel, while it creates joy and delight also creates divsion. Those who were not receptive stirred up crowds against Paul and Barnabas, eventually managing to throw them out of town. Let's learn a few things from this incident.
First, the Gospel is, above all, good news. Through the Gospel the Lord proclaims freedom from sin and deliverance into eternal life and blessedness.
Second, the Gospel divides. Those who reject the Gospel often actively try to discourage others from belief. If we have figured out how to earn merit with God we immediately reject others who say they don't have to earn merit with God. But the Gospel is not something we earn, so it will always reap criticism.
Third, the Gospel spreads through circumstances. Those God was calling to himself at that time in Antioch received the Word. Those who were rejecting Christ and his apostles also accomplished the work of spreading the Gospel by driving the apostles out so they would spread the Gospel elsewhere. Even seed sown along the path and eaten by birds is redistributed.
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