March 15, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Popular People

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Opening Prayer

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Triune God. May Your grace, peace, and love be with me throughout today.

Read ACTS 14:8-20

[8] In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. [9] He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed [10] and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. [11] When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” [12] Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. [13] The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. [14] But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: [15] “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. [16] In the past, he let all nations go their own way. [17] Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” [18] Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. [19] Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. [20] But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“It is amazing how fickle crowds can be. Like Jesus before him, Paul remained unmoved. His steadfastness of character was upset neither by flattery nor by opposition” (John R. W. Stott, 1921-2011).

I’m writing this at the time of year for the major international film awards. Our TV screens are full of glamorously dressed “beautiful people” receiving the praise and adulation of others for their performances. In turn, those awards affect the popularity of the films concerned and increase box-office receipts. Popularity has its rewards, so why are Paul and Barnabas so quick to reject it in this story? Wouldn’t they have had even more influence over the people of Lystra if they’d gone along with the public view?

The place was in uproar, with the crowd shouting excitedly in their own language, the priest bringing bulls to sacrifice to them, and the apostles horrified when they realized what was going on! The pagan crowd’s superstitious behavior had its roots in local legend in which Zeus and Hermes had visited the area disguised as humans, which resulted in their being worshiped as local patron deities. Lystra itself was an insignificant village which had been made into a Roman colony in 6 BC as part of the defense against local warlike tribes. There appeared to be no synagogue, and there is no mention of local Jews, though eventually Jews from Antioch and Iconium turn up to make trouble.

The apostles’ response is interesting in how immediate and definite it is. From this it was obvious that they held their influence and power lightly. Popularity and the praise of others can be quite seductive, and they could easily have been tempted to enjoy it for a time while refusing the actual sacrifices. However, being in touch with their humanity and being grounded in a clear sense of calling as bringers of God’s message (15) enabled them to handle this tricky situation, and adapt their message to their audience.

Apply

Consider how much being popular with others matters to you. To what extent are your decisions made on the basis of being liked (a particular pressure for leaders)? Be honest!

Closing prayer

Lord, sometimes I crumble before the pressure of resistance and popularity. Keep me grounded in You so I can stand firm and faithful for You.

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