Mistaken for Gods, Treated as Enemies
[ READ ] Acts 14:1-20
Paul and Barnabas at Iconium
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
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, 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.
Paul Stoned at Lystra
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.
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
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, 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.
Paul Stoned at Lystra
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.
I think to myself as I read this passage, How many times have I taken the glory for what was only God? In verses 8-18, the crowd sees the healing permitted by Jesus (see verse 3) for a man who had faith, and attribute the healing to Paul and Barnabas “obviously” being the Greek mythological little-g gods Zeus (god of the sky, thunder, weather, as well as the enforcer of law, order and justice) and Hermes (personal messenger to Zeus, god of messengers, travelers, and so much more; canonically Hermes had more domain and power than almost any other Greek god). I think historically, what I find so intriguing in this deception they had is that these Greek gods filled the role and power of that of only the One, True Living God. He is our Master of order, of justice, of nature, of angels. He protects us in our comings and goings.
This crowd was so certain and stuck in the ways they had always known (or at least the one that they thought benefited themselves the most) that they could not accept that Paul and Barnabas were mere humans as themselves who came to deliver the Good News of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
And while receiving the glory, sacrifices and treasure is so like us human beings to accept in a heartbeat, these two disciples of the Way insist on rejecting it. In fact, “they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd” and cried out the Truth.
I pray that the moments which I receive praise or glory in vain that I would mourn in Jesus’ name. That I respond with all honor to the One who has given me every gift I have ever received.
- Danielle Parker
This crowd was so certain and stuck in the ways they had always known (or at least the one that they thought benefited themselves the most) that they could not accept that Paul and Barnabas were mere humans as themselves who came to deliver the Good News of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
And while receiving the glory, sacrifices and treasure is so like us human beings to accept in a heartbeat, these two disciples of the Way insist on rejecting it. In fact, “they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd” and cried out the Truth.
I pray that the moments which I receive praise or glory in vain that I would mourn in Jesus’ name. That I respond with all honor to the One who has given me every gift I have ever received.
- Danielle Parker
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Why do you think the Jews resolved to stone Paul?
+ Why was it easier for this crowd to believe that mythological Greek gods had come down in human form to perform miracles than to believe the works were being done in the name of Jesus, the Living God who did come down in human form?
+ Why do you think the Jews resolved to stone Paul?
+ Why was it easier for this crowd to believe that mythological Greek gods had come down in human form to perform miracles than to believe the works were being done in the name of Jesus, the Living God who did come down in human form?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where might you be accepting the glory for what God is doing through you?
+ Do you continue on sharing the Good News of Jesus even after you’ve been metaphorically (maybe literally but prayerfully, I hope not) stoned by crowds?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where might you be accepting the glory for what God is doing through you?
+ Do you continue on sharing the Good News of Jesus even after you’ve been metaphorically (maybe literally but prayerfully, I hope not) stoned by crowds?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
God, meet me where I am today.
Reveal Your grace and mercy to me. Help me to trust in You even when divine healing doesn’t come, and help me to praise and glorify only You when it does. You are the One who has given us every good gift, and it is only by faith that we can receive these gifts. Yet even if I never received another gift, another miracle, another healing, You alone are worthy of all my praise. Help me to praise You in the storm.
Jesus, we love You. We cry out for You. Maranatha.
In Jesus’ precious name, amen.
+ Pray with me:
God, meet me where I am today.
Reveal Your grace and mercy to me. Help me to trust in You even when divine healing doesn’t come, and help me to praise and glorify only You when it does. You are the One who has given us every good gift, and it is only by faith that we can receive these gifts. Yet even if I never received another gift, another miracle, another healing, You alone are worthy of all my praise. Help me to praise You in the storm.
Jesus, we love You. We cry out for You. Maranatha.
In Jesus’ precious name, amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who is your Barnabas, living on mission with you, and where might the two (or maybe 3, 4 or 5) of you be getting sent in this season? Is God keeping you planted in this season? Why?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who is your Barnabas, living on mission with you, and where might the two (or maybe 3, 4 or 5) of you be getting sent in this season? Is God keeping you planted in this season? Why?
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