There’s nothing like a near-death experience to give one clarity about what’s most important. It’s in this context that Paul got thinking about succession: leaving a legacy, establishing a lasting influence, and investing in the next generation. In this text we see the shift in Paul from being primarily a sower, to becoming both a sower and a weeder/tiller/pruner. So instead of moving on to his hometown of Tarsus after Derbe, he “repents” (turns around 180 degrees), goes back to the site of previous danger, and creates a system of training and raising up leaders. He’s no longer only preaching the gospel for conversion, he’s nurturing the churches he’s already established for deep, lasting growth. In a phrase, after his near-death encounter, Paul becomes more like Jesus: a clearly-prioritized, highly-relational, leader-builder. And the same can be true for us, when we’re open to Jesus molding us in the midst of crisis.
