by Linzy Slayden
A rope is used in the Bible to illustrate many things. It refers to strength in Ecclesiastes 4:12; it is used as an emblem of servitude in 1 Kings 20:31; it is used in casting lots in Micah 2:5; it illustrates love in Hosea 11:4, affliction in Job 36:8, and temptation in Psalm 140:5 and Proverbs 5:22.
But Acts 9:25 is a passage where a rope played a significant role, “Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.” Obviously a rope is not explicitly mentioned in this passage. However, the disciples used a rope or something that served that purpose to lower Paul down the wall.
Paul, the greatest leader of the New Testament church, had recently come to faith in Christ. In Damascus, he was filled with passion and zeal, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. However there were Jews plotting to kill him. They were opposed to his message. That conflict escalated to the point that Paul was forced to escape for his life. A group of fellow disciples lowered him to the ground in a basket. They held the rope. What a service! We read this passage and quickly pass over this significant act of service. We might notice Paul’s being lowered over the wall. But the act of holding the rope is quickly overlooked.
Notice three encouraging applications for the BBFI.
1. Hold the rope: there is an important person at the other end.
These disciples had no idea who they held in their basket. They knew he was a preacher. They knew he had recently been converted to faith in Christ. There was no way, in their wildest dreams, they could imagine the impact this man would have on the world and the Christian faith. As the first missionary of the New Testament church, he would shake the Roman Empire with his preaching. He would write one third of the New Testament. You never know who you will have in your basket. That idea is incentive to be faithful in the work God has called you to and to influence others.
Paul was a great man of God, but he needed the assistance of others. Let me use this to remind you that we have a responsibility to those around us. Some people get so preoccupied with their own needs that they cannot see the needs of others. God has created us with a desire and a capacity to be servants. Service is not a draining enterprise. It is a life-giving activity. Serving others should be a privilege.
As our Fellowship comes together for the great work of world evangelism, we need to hold the rope for those coming after us. Should the Lord tarry His coming there is a generation following us facing tremendous ministry challenges. We need one other. Experienced pastors need to mentor and encourage younger pastors and not ignore them or complain about them. The younger pastors need to respect the experience and track record of pastors who have held the ropes for a long time and not complain about them. There is wisdom that comes from fighting the battle and we should tap into that wisdom. Methods may differ but our goals are the same.
2. Hold the rope: apparently, menial tasks have eternal value.
What a menial task — lowering a man through a window in a basket at the end of a rope. The word menial refers to “work that requires little skill or training, is not interesting, and confers low social status on somebody doing it.” Our churches have jobs that may seem menial. This is not God’s opinion. The Lord Jesus honors efforts that may seem menial and insignificant. In our Fellowship a small word of encouragement or appreciation from one another can go a long way.
3. Hold the rope: there is a cost!
Paul is being lowered because the Jewish leaders were plotting to kill him. In helping Paul, the disciples could face persecution or death. We need to understand that holding the rope sometimes carries a cost. Serving Jesus Christ is a joyful thing, but it carries a cost. There is a cost for nearly everything in life. Following Jesus Christ and serving Him has a cost. Martin Luther said “A religion that does nothing, that saves nothing, that gives nothing, that costs nothing, that suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”
There is a cost to keep the BBFI strong for the next generation and until Jesus comes again. It costs to start new churches and build buildings. It costs to get missionaries to the mission field. It costs to keep the Mission Office strong. It costs to keep our colleges strong. It costs to keep the Baptist Bible Tribune strong. It costs to distribute Bibles. It costs to develop the Gateway Project and other BBFI projects. These projects are worthy and the cost is worth it!
A rope is built of cord and fiber collected to make one unit. One unit not only bound to be stronger in itself but outside of itself. Each strand works with the other, each bears its weight, each yields to the purpose for which it was created … to support, to strengthen, and to sustain. Strength emerges, a power only seen through the frame of unity is revealed. When we unite, come together, and bind ourselves to one vision, we too may become unstoppable.