MAY 25 READING…ACTS 14
Paul and Barnabas are now in Iconium and they are gathering at the synagogue of the Jews. They spoke to a great gathering of people, both Jew and Gentile, who had gathered there to hear them. But, there were also those who had gathered there to oppose anything that was said about Jesus and the Gospel. Paul and Barnabas stay for a long time in Iconium until the opposition became so great and aggressive from both the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles to abuse and stone them.
They left and came to the cities of Lystra and Derbe, which were in the region of Lycaonia. There they healed a crippled man, who had been crippled even the womb of his mother. We can see in the record of this just how fickle people are, and how quickly they can turn from worship to murder. When the people saw the healing of this crippled man they began to deify Paul and Barnabas, calling them Zeus and Hermes. When Barnabas and Paul heard what they were doing, they were grieved and told them to stop…for they were mere men. But the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to the two apostles. A group of Jews came from Iconium and turned the crowd, they drug Paul into the street and stoned him, believing he was dead. To stone someone was to kill them with stones. The believers gathered around the body of Paul…immediately Paul rose up and went into the city. Some believe Paul was killed by the stoning and was raised as the believers prayed over him. Clearly, a miracle took place for him to get up after being stoned and walking back into the city. Be careful of those who continually praise you, or “deify” you…they will be the first to throw stones. I personally, do not desire the empty praise of people…give proper glory and praise to God!
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW’S READING…ACTS 15