Acts 14 reminds me of the walking wounded. Those are the folks that have endured through difficulties, and carry the scars to prove it. Many times those scars are not visible, but they give enormous compassion for others in the midst of the battle. Today’s lesson encourages us to get up again. We begin with Paul and Barnabas visiting the Jewish synagogue in the town of Iconium. “They spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed”. Some of the Jewish leaders were angered and “stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers”. Yet they “spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord”. And God confirmed “the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders”. As a result, “the city was divided”, some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles. Those that opposed the apostles plotted to stone them, but Paul and Barnabas “found out about it and fled… to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel”. Sometimes we have to get up and get out! “In Lystra there sat a man who was lame… He listened to Paul as he was speaking”. We read that Paul looked at him and “saw he had faith to be healed”. Remember, Paul had been blind for a time, and understood the transforming power of faith. Paul called out, “Stand up on your feet!” The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. Do you look for those in need around you?
After the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” They were preparing gifts and sacrifices to offer, but Paul quickly put a stop to that, “We too are only human, like you”. While he had their attention, he began to teach! “We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God”. Paul taught that God shows His kindness to all, “by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy”. Friend, are you lacking joy?
Gratitude always produces joy, but envy produces destruction. Paul was still deflecting their worship when some of the “Jews came from Antioch” to stir up the people against the apostles. They “won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead”. We read that the disciples gathered around him. The encouragers in our life need to be lifted up too. Paul “got up and went back into the city”. How do you react after you have been rocked by rejection? I believe Paul stood on the very stones meant to kill him, and faithfully finished his sermon. Our past failures can serve as a great platform for new instruction. The next day they left the city and went to Derby, “They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples”. I have no doubt that many saw Paul’s wounds before they heard his words. The disciples then began their journey back home retracing their path, visiting with the newly formed churches; “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith”. They also “appointed elders… in each church… with prayer and fasting… in whom they had put their trust”. Finally they sailed back to where they began. In Antioch “they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles”. And notice, “they stayed there a long time with the disciples”. Everyone needs time to mend. This is the purpose of the church. Jesus called to us, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28). My friend, where do you go to let your wounds heal?