Slices
Prepare
Take a few moments to freely receive and rest in the knowledge of God’s pleasure in you.
Bible passage
In Lystra and Derbe
8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 ‘Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: he has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.’ 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered round him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Explore
In the seaside city where I live, there’s a myth about some sixth-century monks catching a mermaid in their fishing nets. To folk here this is no more than fable. But in Lystra, a first-century pagan city, local legend affected how the activities of Paul and Barnabas were interpreted. A story told of two Greek gods, Zeus and Hermes, visiting the area in human form. Unrecognised and unwelcome, they meted out disaster. With this lingering in their collective consciousness, and eager to avoid a repeat reprimand, the Lystrans’ response to the lame man’s healing is understandable (v 11).
Once the language barrier has been broken and the two men realise the misunderstanding, their response is clear, strong and compassionate. Starting with the present situation, and using appropriate reference points, Paul turns their worship towards one true and living God. This God, far from needing to be placated like other deities, has satisfied their needs for sustenance and pleasure, revealing himself through this provision. What a relief, for anyone enslaved to the dictates of an idol, to know that the only God there is actively desires our good. Although stepping out of existing systems can be hard (v 18), there is such hope in believing that God continues to free us from the chains of false narratives today!
Respond
What frameworks do your friends try to fit Jesus into? Ask him for compassion and clarity as you interact with them.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 6,7; Psalms 26,27
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray that more Faith Guides get to use this exciting new mission model as an opportunity to journey with the 95. (This week's prayers relate to this article)
