David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 14:8-18

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.

The man staring at us was a pitiful sight – although quite intimidating and defiant. I wish I had asked him his name. The family at the Walmart parking lot exit saddened my heart. I wondered whether the father had any idea how he was misusing his own family to beg for money. The beggar who scooted along sliding the lower half of his body behind made me look away in disbelief. I wish I could simply take care of him. All of these examples are pitiful reminders of human need. A few dollars to them – even hundreds of dollars would not really solve their problems. They needed their world changed.

When Paul saw the man at Lystra who could not use his feet, he saw beyond the crippled feet and the pitiful situation. He saw a divine appointment. He saw someone God had brought to his attention who needed the new life and redemption that God could provide. So Paul acted, commanding him to get up on his feet. Paul saw an opportunity for God to act in this man’s life. Paul mediated that gift to the man, and his life was changed.

Sadly, however, the people in that area saw only a pitiful sight. And after the healing there was no care or attention given to the man, only the falsely-directed praise to “the gods.” They missed the man and misidentified the healer. Paul and Barnabas become Hermes and Zeus. The former cripple is forgotten.

God wants neither of these things. He doesn’t want to be famous – even if he is correctly identified. He want s to be followed and recognized as the One who gives daily bread and everything we have. He desires that people turn from their futile ways to himself. He delights in our worship. But God also delights when people treat one another with honor and respect. He is pleased when beggars are not seen just sources of pity, but as opportunities for grace and blessing. He is pleased when the heroes of life (and even the heroes of faith) are recognized as agents of God and of the same fabric as we are.

I’m not certain I’ll ever have the opportunity or even the calling to heal a lame man. But if I do, I’ll rejoice in the opportunity to witness to God’s glory and his daily provision. I do anticipate many opportunities to look into the eyes of a homeless man, or a encounter a desperate family. When I do, I hope I can see the true opportunity God has put before my eyes and respond in a manner that gives him the glory and witnesses to his love. That is how peoples’ worlds are changed forever.