Day Four. January 13. Acts 14:1-20
Wow. I don’t know about you, but this missionary business isn’t sounding fun anymore. Paul and Barnabas basically had a repeat in the town of Iconium only this time they had rocks thrown at them as they left. Initially, they were greeted with great enthusiasm. They stayed there, according to verse 3, “a long time.” I love that they boldly preached about God’s grace – undeserved favor. Their message, over and over, was that we can’t earn our way to Heaven. God made the way and our job was simply to look to Him and receive the gift that grace gave. It’s a humbling method. We basically have to agree with God that we don’t deserve what He gave and we’d be lost without Him. This is the truth, of course. The sooner we get over thinking somehow we are “good enough” the better. It’s when we realize we need to be filled up with Him, and that He will fill us with His goodness, that life really starts to be joy-filled and rich. And this is the message they preached.
I am glad they got to stay a long time in Iconium. There was time to teach thoroughly, I suspect, and to help believers mature a bit in their faith. Churches would have been formed and leaders chosen. Paul and Barnabas must have been filled with joy as they shared the wonders of God’s love with these dear folk.
After they were attacked in Iconium, they moved on to Lystra, a town in a region called Lycaonia. But then it happened yet again. It started with a healing, which is a good thing. But then, the enemy crept in and whispered to unbelievers that Paul and Barnabas were actually gods. Thankfully, Paul and Barnabas refused this dubious “honor” and instead shared the gospel with conviction and even a tearing of their clothing to show how seriously they disagreed with being called gods: “ …We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them.” (vs. 15b) These guys didn’t quit. They preached when it was easy and also when they faced a non-responsive difficult crowd. I am so stunned by their courage.
And now we get to the hard part. The mob in this particular city did more than run them out of town. They tried to kill them. In fact, they stoned Paul so badly he appeared to be dead. Ow. Dear Paul, who – before He met Christ – was a wealthy Jewish Roman citizen, is now suffering because of his faith in Jesus. He took a beating that was so severe he almost died. So, what does he do after that? The next day, He and Barnabas move on to Derbe, another town in the Lycaonian region of Galatia. God gave him the strength and confidence to do the work he was assigned. It’s beautiful and stirring to watch.
Now let’s talk about you. How are you doing with your daily reading? Are you continuing to do this hard thing? Have you found your rhythm? Do you look forward to the visit with the Lord every morning? I surely hope so. Meeting with the God who loves you is the sweetest thing you can do. No worries if you stumble and miss a day. Just be like Paul in harder circumstances and try again on the next day. What did He show you, today? I can’t wait to read all about it if you choose to share in the comments.
My verse: Acts 14:19 “Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.”
My response: So Paul, who long ago held the men’s robes who stoned the first martyr Stephen, is now stoned twice on this first missionary journey. Did he remember Stephen, Lord? As he lost consciousness, did he get excited thinking that soon he would be with You in Heaven? Oh Father God, what we owe this man – and so many like him – who would not be silenced no matter how beat up they were. Over and over, Paul and others endured hardships so the gospel could be shared and people could know salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. I’m awed. I’m shamed. I give so little. They gave so much.
