Day 1158: Turn and be saved - Acts 14 vs 8-18

8-10 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11-13 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!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 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.

14-15 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “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. 16-18 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 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.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. Acts 14:8-18 English Standard Version

Mankind is religious! They instinctively feel the need to worship God in one form or another. Whether it's in some isolated jungle setting, or an ancient city like Lystra, there is a desire to appease the deity they've believed in. And so it was when Paul saw a man listening intently to his message, that he 'had faith to be made well', he lifted his voice and told the man to stand upright. And, unlike 'healing miracles' of today, the man responded immediately by jumping up and walking.

But notice that it was what Paul and Barnabas had been preaching that caused this man to have faith that he could be healed. The apostles were preaching the gospel rather than being on a healing campaign. So what was the reaction in the city? (vs 11-13)

They immediately concluded that the 'gods' had come down to them in the likeness of men. They believed that the gods must live above them – apart from them. And seeing the miracle, they assumed their gods had appeared as human beings. In a sense, they were not too far off the truth. God had indeed come into the world as a human being. The apostle John wrote: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) And yet, they were far off the mark.

It's striking too to notice the difference between the apostle's reaction, and that of Jesus Christ. After He had walked on the water and stilled a storm we read: “When they climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of God'”. (Matthew 14:32-33) But the apostles cried out to the people of Lystra: “Why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you.”

Then they preached the truth about God. God was not like the 'vain things' (idols) the people of Lystra had worshipped. He was the living God! Indeed, Zeus and Hermes have now faded from history and are seen for the myths they were. But God had blessed the nations with rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, despite their attributing these good gifts to the gods of wood and stone. God had patiently allowed that to continue, but He was now sending them the good news that if they turned from such empty things, they would be saved. That's the good news which we can still take into the world.

Is it possible that many in the West today are no longer religious? Thoughts of God have been replaced by entertainmemt and science. Don't lose heart, but rather take courage from Paul who said: “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)