Learning Our Place

Fergus Buchanan June 21, 2025 3 0

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Acts 14: 8-20 (NIVUK)

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.

There have been many people in the history of the Church who have been examples of faith under pressure as well as those who have been admired as preachers, evangelists or counselors. Many things may be said in appreciation of their gifts by those who have been blessed by their ministry. It can get to the stage, however, when people forget where these gifts for ministry have come from and glory is given to individuals which is quite inappropriate. I once thanked a minister for the blessing I had received in his preaching. His response was: ‘Well, it’s God’s Word.’ He was acknowledging that the impact did not come from him but the Spirit working in the Word. 

This is a balance we must strike if we are to maintain Christian integrity. There is only one way off a pedestal and that is down with no good coming to the admirer or the admired.

Paul and Barnabus visited a city called Lystra in the early days of Christian mission.   Paul preached there and healed a man who was lame from birth. The response of the citizens of Lystra was inappropriate and caused Paul and Barnabus much distress. It was thought the apostles were gods come down among them. Paul and Barnabus pleaded with the people to see them as they were, human beings like them whose only significance was that they had been given a message by the living God which they were called to share.

Interestingly, when enemies of the Gospel turned up in Lystra they turned that same crowd against Paul and Barnabus and to the extent that Paul was stoned almost to death. He had come down very hard from the pedestal! There can be a short walk between adulation and vilification.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

It is good to be encouraged in our work and witness. Thank you that appreciation has been expressed for things we have said and done. But please keep us mindful of where all wisdom, goodness and truth come. Amen.