David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 14:1-15

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. ² But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. ³ So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ⁴ But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. ⁵ When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, ⁶ they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, ⁷ and there they continued to preach the gospel.

⁸ 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.

There are two ways to say, “It’s not me.” One way is to avoid responsibility. It’s not me. I didn’t break that prize vase.” The other is to deny credit. “It’s not me. I’m the conduit, the vessel. The treasure is from God.” But even in the second case, you can say it in order to avoid responsibility. Some have said, “I just preach the gospel. It’s God’s work to produce the fruits of faith.” All true. But not the whole truth.

The people in Lystra come wanting to make sacrifices to Barnabas and Paul – thinking they were Zeus and Hermes. When they hear of it Barnabas and Paul will have none of it. They know that honor belongs only to the true God. Idols of gold, silver, or human imagination have no power. They’re not real. So even if they were doing these things on their own, it wouldn’t be Heremes or Zeus in human form. 

That’s part of their message. They were bold in saying that these people should, “turn from these vain things to a living God.” Two messages are found here. One is implied: vain things are no help, have no power, and are not worthy of our faith. They are not living. This is a faint echo of Jesus’ words in Matthew 15:8-9: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” 

The second message is clear: there is a living God. He is not made of stone, gold, or silver, or man’s imagination. He is not made at all. He made all things: “the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them,” as Paul says. He can act. He does not answer to us or appear at our beck and call. We answer to him. We are accountable to him. He made us for his purposes. He is not a magic rabbit’s foot, or talisman to be called on for our purposes. 

Paul and Barnabas are saying, “It isn’t us. We’re not the ones doing these miracles. God is doing them through us. We are not worthy of your worship. We are servants of the living God.” That takes a lot of pressure off of us. But it’s not a cop out. It’s just a salutary acknowledgement that we are not in charge. We have only borrowed power. God gets the glory and praise. We get the privilege of serving him.