August 27
Bible Reading: Acts 14:8-15
Acts 4:11, “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!”
Lystra, situated in modern-day Turkey, was a predominantly Gentile community. The people there worshipped a pantheon of gods, reflecting their deeply engrained idolatry. According to a local legend, Zeus and Hermes had once visited the region of Lystra disguised as mere mortals. All rejected them except for one couple, Philemon and Baucis. As a result, Zeus and Hermes punished the entire region, except for those two, who the gods then made to be guardians of a magnificent temple. Upon their deaths, the couple were supposedly transformed into two giant trees as a memorial to their kindness. This folklore had become part of the cultural fabric of Lystra.
Keep that in mind as you consider what happened when Paul and Barnabas came to town and encountered the man crippled from birth. Moved by the man’s faith, Paul healed him, and the man immediately sprang up and began to walk. Witnessing this miraculous event, the astonished crowd thought Barnabas and Paul to be Zeus and Hermes. The priest of Zeus, zealous to not repeat that previous mistake and eager to honor what he believed to be the return of the gods, brought oxen and garlands, preparing to offer sacrifices to them.
Paul and Barnabas felt horrified when they realized what was happening. They tore their garments and dissuaded the men, urging the people to abandon their idolatry and worship the true, living God who created all things. Paul and Barnabas struggled to divert their attention from themselves to God. Instead of accepting the adulation and benefits that came with being mistaken for gods, they steadfastly redirected the people’s worship toward the true Creator. This contrasts with the earlier account of Herod in Acts 12, who, unlike Paul and Barnabas, failed to give glory to God when he was praised by men—a failure that led to his downfall.
The people of Lystra not only mistook the identity of Paul and Barnabas, but they were also drastically confused about God Himself. Zeus, Hermes, and the myth of the two giant trees were mere fables—empty stories with no basis in reality and certainly not deserving of worship. This episode highlights the human tendency toward idolatry and the ease with which people can be led astray by myths. Yet, amid this confusion, the true God made Himself known to the people of Lystra through the message of Paul and Barnabas. Some did indeed turn from their idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
God alone is worthy of worship!
JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE!
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.
LookingtoJesus 