Opening: Have you ever had a time in your life when you were afraid for your
life? Something happened that gave you fear that your life would end? What happened
to circumvent your feared outcome?
Scripture: Read Acts14:1-28.
Insights:
- Next stop on the First Missionary Journey is Iconium, about 90 miles from Antioch. (See your Bible’s maps or click here. Iconium was one of the chief cities in the southern part of what Rome called “Galatia.” Yes, it is this region to which Paul writes the book of Galatians, to the various churches he established in this area (see Galatians 1:2)
- We see Paul’s pattern over and over again:
1.
Preach
in the synagogue.
2.
Success
among some Jews, but also among the Gentile proselytes and God-fearers.
3.
Jewish
hostility.
4.
Withdrawal
from the synagogue.
5.
Further
successful ministry to the Gentiles.
6.
Persecution.
7.
Flight.
- Again, many believed Paul and Barnabas’s message, and once again, there is a threat to their lives. Even though their message was backed up with miraculous signs and wonders, there was a group of people who wanted to stone them.
- After the threat in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas travel to Lystra, 25 miles to the south. The people there think Paul and Barnabas were gods. According to legend, the gods Zeus and Hermes had come to earth in disguise. None in all the land would give them hospitality until two old peasants, Philemon and his wife Baucis, took them in. As a result, the whole population was wiped out by the gods except Philemon and Baucis, who were made the guardians of a splendid temple in Lystra, and were turned into two great trees when they died. So when Paul healed the crippled man, the people of Lystra were determined not to make the same mistake again. Barnabas must have been a man of noble presence so they took him for Zeus the king of the gods. Hermes was the messenger of the gods and, since Paul was the speaker, they called him Hermes.[1]
- Oh no! Troublemakers from Antioch and Iconium come to Lystra and persuade the crowds to go against Paul. They wanted to stone him in Iconium; now, they accomplish it. They drag Paul out of town, thinking he was dead. Imagine the reaction of the group of believers who stood over his lifeless body, only to be startled that he got up and went back into Lystra.
- After his near-death experience, Paul heads to Derbe, about 50 miles from Lystra. All the text says is that many became disciples.
- After Derbe, Paul and Barnabas retrace their steps, revisiting each of the churches they had established. They encouraged the believers, discipled them, appointed leaders, prayed over them, and gave them the ministry.
- When they return home, Paul and Barnabas report on the journey that opened the door of Christianity to Gentiles. They will have to give another report, but we will deal with that in Sunday’s devotional.
Life
Questions:
- Paul is clearly a man of courage. When he came to his senses, his first act was to go right back into the city where he had been stoned. It was John Wesley’s advice, “Always look a mob in the face.” There could be no braver thing than Paul going straight back among those who had tried to murder him. This act of bravery probably meant more than 100 sermons. People had to ask themselves, “Why is he so brave? What makes his beliefs worth dying for?” Are you worried about possible persecution? Does it keep you from doing what the Lord is calling you to do?
Prayer
Focus: That we would have the courage to proclaim with
our lips and our lives the message of Jesus Christ.
