10/5 The Driven Path to the Called Path

Sermon 62 on the Book of Acts

Date: 10/5/2025

Title: The Driven Path and the Called Path

Scripture: Acts 12:19-25

19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Overview

Furious that he had lost Peter, King Herod immediately left for Caesarea, a distant city that was more than a ten-day journey away. The scripture also records that Barnabas, Saul, and Mark were heading toward Antioch, a destination that was even farther than Caesarea but effectively on the same road.

Although they were traveling along the same path, their inner worlds were polar opposites. The fates that awaited them at their destinations were also as different as heaven and hell.

Herod Agrippa was a very successful man, having surpassed the previous generation, which was divided and weakened. Though a vassal of Rome, he ruled over a unified kingdom, much like his grandfather, Herod the Great.

Today's passage shows how not only Israel but also the surrounding nations sought to please him and praised him extravagantly.

And yet, he does not seem at ease at all. He lives as if he is being chased by something.

19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

What is truly strange is that he insisted on recapturing Peter specifically and became enraged when he could not. He could have just arrested other disciples to replace Peter, though the effect might have been different.

This shows that Herod did not see this event as merely the escape of a death row inmate. He felt it was a personal failure that he could never admit.

Because he could not face that failure, he immediately fled to the distant city of Caesarea.

Yet even there, conflicts were arising with the surrounding cities. The scripture records that Herod was "quarreling with" the people of Tyre and Sidon. This phrase describes not just being angry, but being unable to hide that anger and lashing out violently.

Although he was the king who ruled all of Israel, he was acting like a child who throws his toys around when he doesn't get his way.

Ultimately, his anger was soothed only after the leaders of Tyre and Sidon persuaded and lobbied Blastus, who was in charge of the king's chamber and thus very close to him. They appeased him with something.

Although not directly mentioned, it is highly likely that the "royal robes" Herod proudly wore were a bribe from Tyre and Sidon. At the time, Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia were the most advanced regions for textile and dyeing technology, and clothing was a very expensive gift in ancient times.

Josephus, a Jewish man who became a Roman historian and left detailed historical records of the biblical era, wrote about this incident. I will quote him directly:

"On the second day of the festival, he put on a garment made wholly of silver and of a truly wonderful texture, and came into the theater early in the morning. At that time the silver of his garment, being illuminated by the fresh reflection of the sun’s rays upon it, shone out after a surprising manner, and was so resplendent as to spread a horror over those that looked intently upon him."

The gathering place was the arena—an amphitheater—in Caesarea. Herod, in a very good mood, appeared triumphantly, wearing splendid, shining royal robes made of silver.

Both Josephus's record and the Bible testify that when Herod, who appeared in a glittering and magnificent outfit, began to speak, the people started showering him with immense flattery, saying it was the "voice of a god" and not of a man.

Josephus also recorded this event in great detail. I will quote him again:

"And presently his flatterers cried out, one from one place, and another from another, (though not for his good,) that he was a god: and they added, ‘Be thou merciful to us; for although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature.’ Upon this the king did neither rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery. But as he presently afterward looked up, he saw an owl sitting on a certain rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the messenger of ill tidings... and a severe pain arose in his belly, and began in a most violent manner. He therefore looked upon his friends, and said, ‘I, whom you call a god, am commanded presently to depart this life; while Providence thus reproves the lying words you have just now said to me; and I, who was by you called immortal, am immediately to be hurried away by death. But I am bound to accept of what Providence allots, as it pleases God; for we have by no means lived ill, but in a splendid and happy manner.’ When he said this, his pain was become violent. Accordingly he was carried into the palace; and the rumor went abroad everywhere, that he would certainly die in a little time... And when he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days, he departed this life, being in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and in the seventh year of his reign."

The people calling him a god and praising him was blasphemous flattery, intolerable to Romans and even more so to Jews. Yet, Herod did not stop them; instead, he thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Bible briefly states that he was immediately eaten by worms, whereas Josephus records that he suffered from severe abdominal pain for five more days before dying.

However, a surprisingly unique commonality is found in these two independent records. They share five key elements: ① the festival in Caesarea, ② the king's splendid robes, ③ the people's deification of him, ④ his pride in not rejecting it, and ⑤ his sudden and terrible death.

Josephus also details other records related to the Herod family, portraying Herod Agrippa as a resourceful man skilled at handling people. He was popular because he catered to the desires of Jewish religious leaders and maintained a good relationship with the Roman emperor, achieving great success.

Yet his end was clearly so tragic, but was it only his end that was tragic?

In Gordon MacDonald's book, Ordering Your Private World, he compares two types of people.

First, the source of their identity is fundamentally different. The identity of a driven person is thoroughly based on what he does, on his performance. His self-worth is like an unstable stock, soaring and plummeting with the graph of his achievements.

A successful project makes him feel a reason for his existence for a moment, but a small failure plunges him into the abyss of worthlessness. He can never get off the treadmill of actions meant to prove his own value; his inner world is always noisy with self-judgment and evaluation.

On the other hand, the identity of a called person is deeply anchored in his very being in God, not his achievements. His value is not a goal to be obtained but a gift already given. This assurance provides a deep inner stability that is not easily shaken by external circumstances or people's opinions.

He enjoys the freedom to receive success with gratitude and cover failure with grace. He is liberated from the hard labor of having to prove himself and enjoys peace just as he is.

Second, the motivation that moves their lives is qualitatively different. A driven person’s day is dictated by the expectations of others, the success of competitors, and a vague anxiety about falling behind. He is not moving toward a true goal but running away from the ghost of failure.

Therefore, even his diligence is not pure passion but another expression of a deep-seated deficiency and fear. In contrast, a called person moves forward voluntarily, led by an inner calling and a sense of purpose that comes from a deep fellowship with God. He listens to the quiet voice within rather than the noise without.

This calling gives his life the 'right direction' and becomes the standard for discerning what is important and what is less important among many choices. Instead of passively reacting to external demands, he actively dedicates himself according to his calling.

Third, their attitude toward time and rest is different. To the driven person, time is a tyrant that constantly pressures him. An empty space on the calendar is a threatening void that signifies a lack of productivity. He considers rest an unaffordable luxury or even laziness, and he runs toward burnout, ignoring the cries of his body and soul.

But the called person understands time not as an object to be conquered but as a gift to be used wisely. He knows that true creativity and productivity come from a well-ordered and well-rested soul.

Therefore, he intentionally secures time for solitude, silence, and rest. This is not simply an escape from work but a sacred time to gain strength and wisdom to handle work better. His life has a healthy rhythm of work and rest.

Fourth, the depth of their relationships is different. A driven person often boasts of a wide network, but his relationships are mostly functional, their value often measured by how helpful they are to his success. Because he has no time or emotional capacity to invest in deep friendships, he feels a profound loneliness even when surrounded by many people.

On the other hand, a called person considers relationships to be the most precious thing in fulfilling his calling. He values love, trust, and community for their own sake. Therefore, he invests deeply in his relationships with people.

He knows how to reveal his weaknesses and empathize with the pain of others, and he cultivates life-giving relationships rather than energy-draining ones.

Fifth, their attitude toward failure is different. For the driven person, failure is like the death of his identity. It is not just an event but feels like a final verdict on his worth. Therefore, he tries to hide his mistakes, shift blame, and refuse to admit his weaknesses.

This ultimately creates a fragile, false self. In contrast, for the called person, failure is painful but not fatal. His identity is secure in the grace of God. Failure is not a judgment on his soul but is accepted as a lesson on his journey.

For him, it becomes an opportunity to learn humility, to experience God's forgiveness more deeply, and to cultivate compassion for others who have fallen.

In conclusion, the driven person lives an 'outside-in' life, reacting to external standards and pressures. But the called person lives an 'inside-out' life, navigating the world with the inner order and strength that comes from his relationship with God.

In today's passage, Barnabas, Saul, and Mark, though barely mentioned with only a simple note of their next destination, are the called people who stand in contrast to Herod.

They had come to Jerusalem with the relief funds collected by the church in Antioch to help the churches that were in great financial difficulty. During that time, tremendous events took place. James was publicly beheaded, and Peter was arrested to be executed as well, before an angel rescued him.

While such stormy events were happening outside, the Bible is very quiet about these important figures. This is because they were calmly and steadfastly carrying out the mission entrusted to them. Do you see the difference?

Coincidentally, the largest city they would encounter on their way back to Antioch was Caesarea. There is no doubt what the biggest news in that city would have been when they passed through it. King Herod had died suddenly under a curse from God.

Ultimately, the party of Barnabas and Saul became the first disciples to learn of the death of King Herod, the man who brutally killed their brother James and tried to execute Peter for his own popularity.

They traveled the same road. Yet Herod, who rode in a splendid royal chariot accompanied by numerous soldiers, was miserably killed by an invisible worm.

Meanwhile, Barnabas and Saul, who walked for at least two weeks from Antioch for the sole purpose of helping their suffering brothers, gave everything away and walked back again, enjoyed peace.

As the scripture testifies, the word of God flourished in Caesarea, in Jerusalem, in Antioch, and even more so in the hearts of Barnabas and Saul.

When you think about it, among the famous people who have lived glamorous lives, very few were truly happy or ended their lives beautifully. Isn't that so? Then why do we envy them?

What are you driven by? What is the purpose of your job? Why do you meet people? What is the honest motive behind all your choices and decisions?

If the answer to all these questions is not 'because I love God,' then it is likely because of some worry or fear. And sadly, a person driven by fear gradually becomes unable to love anyone but themselves.

Naturally, it becomes difficult for anyone to truly love that person. And in the end, they can't even love the self that is left all alone. They lose love itself.

But the reason it is said, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose," is not because God is greedy and wants us to love Him and give Him all the glory.

It is because that is the best for everyone. God is love, and He is worthy of being loved and glorified. When we love God and give glory to God, we too become worthy. It is because we can be most free, most peaceful, and fully experience joy when we love God with all that we have!

When you are being chased, how much heavier, more breathless, and more tiring is it to walk the same distance? Don't you want to be free from that now? Even on the same path, if you walk with leisure and without fear, it's no longer a hardship but something you can enjoy.

When you have that leisure, blessings you couldn't see begin to appear one by one. You become a person who can admire the charming scenes of daily life you used to rush past—the fragrance and colors of wildflowers. The pieces of gratitude scattered here and there like wildflowers also start to come into view when you are not being chased but have leisure.

The most important difference in the life of a called person is that there is One who has called him.

And the One who called us is unimaginably great, the Creator of hundreds of millions of galaxies, and at the same time, He knows me, who is like a speck of dust in comparison. He knows my name and watches over me forever with eyes of love. If He is calling me, the best thing for me is to respond and follow.

That is why when we walk that path, we can fully enjoy the scenery around us and have the leisure to hold someone's hand. This is the life the Lord wants to give us.

Last week, the Lord invited us to share love through 'prayer.' When we pray, we come to know the Lord's heart, we love Him more, and that love then flows from the inside out.

As we will find out later, John Mark, who started on this journey with them, was far from being a help to Barnabas and Saul; he became a source of contention that caused the two to argue and part ways. At such times, one feels frustrated and empty.

However, after more time passed, this Mark grew to become a co-worker highly praised by Barnabas, as well as by Paul and Peter, and even wrote the Gospel of Mark. How proud and joyful Barnabas and Paul must have been to see this growth in Mark, who was like a son to them. That joy is greater than any treasure.

Seeing our spiritual friends and spiritual children grow up beautifully... that is the greatest joy.

At the same time, Barnabas and Paul also learned patience and love while dealing with the troublesome Mark, and they grew as well. Even though it is a path of following God's call, it is not without pain and problems. But in the end, like John Mark, these struggles become for us a heavenly joy... a crown.

As the Lord promised, for those who follow His calling, there will surely be beautiful and precious fruit produced by all things working together for good.

There is no happier life than for a person to be born, and upon leaving this world, to leave behind a fruit more beautiful and wonderful than themselves. That is true success, isn't it? If I can open my arms wider, letting go of my greed and selfishness, until the one person the Lord has entrusted to me becomes that fruit... if I can fulfill my mission as I have been called...

There is no better feeling than that. There is no life more successful.

Let us pray. That this church, and that you,