Saturday, July 22, 2023  

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Today’s Scripture Reading 
Acts 14:1–18

The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news.

In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. (NRSV)

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Reflection
Humankind will do what we will do. Does history really repeat itself or will this time really be different?

When we get God’s message, why do we reject it or dismiss it out of hand?

God gave us free will, which means God also gave us the opportunity to make mistakes or be skeptical. I like to think that we, humankind, can learn from our mistakes and ultimately make the right or righteous decisions. But sadly, we do what we always do.

We have a tendency to judge before really listening or to react rather than respond (I’ve been guilty of this). We also tend to be skeptical and resistant the more we deem to have something to lose, be it our material possessions, status, or our precious reputation.

Why is it so difficult to simply believe and trust? We are a society of “give me proof and convince me.” Are we so jaded?

Seriously, how much proof do we need to believe? Paul and Barnabas even performed “signs and wonders” and they were still plotted against and had to flee.

And then even when the people came around to believing, because Paul and Barnabas performed the miracle that fit their idea of what it should look, feel and sound like, people insisted on believing in the way they knew, through tangible demonstrations.

Oh, we can be foolish, fellow humankind. Thank goodness our loving God is endlessly patient and will not persecute or abandon us for our foolishness.

Do we ignore the signs? How can we be more open to receiving and living God’s word?

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Prayer
Gracious and loving God, help me to believe and let my life reflect you and your unwavering love. Amen.

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Written by Toni Yang, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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