Acts 14:8-28
English
Standard Version (ESV)
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his
feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He
listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he
had faith to be made well,[a] 10 said in a loud voice,
“Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And
when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in
Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas
they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And
the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen
and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But
when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and
rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you
doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you
good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who
made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In
past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet
he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains
from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and
gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained
the people from offering sacrifice to them.
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded
the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he
was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose
up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made
many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening
the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and
saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And
when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and
fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And
when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and
from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace
of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they
arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done
with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And
they remained no little time with the disciples.
I struggle daily
with wondering “why”. It is so hard for
me to just let go and let God do His thing.
I blame myself but don’t know what I am blaming myself for. I wonder why the things I have tried to do to
help others somehow has backfired on me.
Was I not grateful enough? Did I
do it for the wrong reasons? Was I too
nice? Was I too mean? Was I too successful? Was I not successful enough? Do I have too much education? Do I have too little education? Why?
Why? Why?
As I read this
passage I have to think that Paul and Barnabus had many reasons to ask the
question, why? But, they knew the answer. Each city they went to they had success but
they also had some failures. Men time
and time again rejected them because of their proclamation of the Gospel. They knew the reason for this rejection. Paul himself had been a part of the
revolution against those whom claimed the power of the reason Savior. They poured their heart and soul into telling
others of what Christ had done for them.
They wanted others to have the same realization. Some did and some didn’t. It is all in the perception of the one who is
receiving the news.
The people at
Lystra thought they were seeing gods and wanted to praise and bring sacrifices
to them. Paul and Barnabus were quick to
let them know that they were not gods but knew the One True God. With the help of other religious people who
were against them, the people turned on Paul and stoned him.
Now, some could
say that is where they would have given up but not Paul, he got up and went
back into the city where he had been rejected.
Then, he took it a step further and went back to the two other cities
that had rejected him. He was not going
to let a little thing like rejection keep him from strengthening his new
brothers and sisters in Christ.
Often times, I
think they we think that since our Father is the King, we should have it
easy. We ask for things because we want
them not because they bring glory and honor to God. Being a Christian requires us to make
sacrifices at times but in the end we will see the true meaning of life and we
will have it abundantly. As long as
there are those around us who are jealous, blinded to the truth, zealous for
themselves, angry and in direct opposition to the truth, we should have trials
and tribulations. Until that day when we
can stand and gaze upon His face, life will not be easy.
As you seek Him
today, remember that the day will come when we will see Him in all of His glory
and the things of this would that don’t make sense will be revealed. Keep on keeping on for Him, not for
ourselves, but for Him.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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