Acts 14:6-20 Paul Stoned At Lystra

At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.  This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well,  said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.  When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.”  And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, 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, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out  and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;  and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”  Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derby.

Paul's calling by the Lord Jesus was to make His name known by the gentiles and their kings.  Jesus' warning of Paul, he will suffer much for My name's sake.  Paul's equipping, the presence of Lord Jesus and the ennoblement to work signs and wonders.  Paul's work at Lystra, convincing many there by restoring a cripple from birth.  The Jews reaction -  They stoned him and accused him of blasphemy, all rooted in their own pride.   Paul needed to persevere through his persecution because the calling from Jesus was great and to him, his sacrifice was small in comparison to the glory of Jesus.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, let present day Christians come to know Your glory as Paul did.  Let us come to understand Your everlasting riches and profound wisdom and make it know to the people of my time.
Give us boldness to proclaim Your Name.  Amen.