Courage and Humility

This morning I am reflecting on the following verses from Acts 14:8-22 NIV:

[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.

[21] They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, [22] strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said."

In reading this I am amazed at two things, Paul and Barnabas' humility and their courage.  First, I am really impressed by the fact that they wouldn't allow for a moment the thought that they were someone special, once they realized what the Lycaonians were thinking of them as God's and planning to sacrifice to them!  I think that for any of us that God decides to move through powerfully, the temptation to think of ourselves as someone special is very dangerous.  It is dangerous for the individual being raised up, and for those who are entering into idolatry by doing so.  I hate to say it, but pastor worship is a dangerous thing in the Church, and something that our celebrity and big church mindset fosters.

The truth of the matter is that in God's eyes we are all equally precious and valued, no one individual more so than any other, regardless of the depth of gifting, calling or anointing.  The other truth is that no matter how powerfully anyone ministers, they are still sinners, made righteous only through Jesus' gift of salvation, redemption and forgiveness.

Secondly, I was impressed with the courage of Paul, especially after getting physically dragged from the city, stoned and left for dead, he gets up and goes back into the city.  He does continue his journey the next day, and continue preaching like the stoning in Lystra never happened.  After a successful time of ministry in Derbe, they go back to Lystra again, and continue to strengthen the disciples there, and encourage the church.  They clearly loved the Gospel and the Lord, more than their own lives.

Finally, my last reflection relates to Paul's statement in verse 22, that "we must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God."   This verse is probably in the top 100 list of verses not quoted. :-)  It is likely that none of us, if we were honest with ourselves, would joyfully welcome this word if it was spoken over us.  We like things that are easy, come easily and don't require much effort.  The Greek word used by Paul is thlipsis and it is defined as follows:

1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure
2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits

At the very least, Paul is speaking about being quite uncomfortable.  I am reminded of his statement from his letter to the Romans 8:35-39 NIV:

[35] "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Amen and amen!  We have one who loves us who is faithful, and His love for us will never fail. If we hold onto His love, we too shall attain fulfillment of His promise, eternal life.