Thoughts for the Day

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe

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.

But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Paul and Barnabas are on their First Missionary Journey to take the good news about Jesus to a number of cities in modern-day Turkey. However, they stir up a hornet's nest of opposition as well as support in Pisidian Antioch, and are forced to move on to Iconium where the same thing happens. The opposition forces them to flee to Lystra where they continue to spread the good news. It is here that we get this miracle, and it's worth noticing a few things:

• Paul observes the effect of his words on the man who sits listening.
• The man would have been known by everyone as being lame from birth.
• Paul believes the Spirit will enable him to heal the man.
• Pail just commands him to 'stand upright on your feet".
• The man "sprang up and began to walk", there is no half-hearted getting up.

The man goes from hearing, to believing in God's word! Today, we too need to both hear the message Jesus brings and believe it can apply to us! When others offer to pray for us, we hear their words and we may be grateful for their prayer, but do we believe these prayers will make a difference? Is it like gathering signatures for a petition, do we need hundreds to sign up? No! It needs faith to know that when we or others pray - then that prayer will be answered.

Lord God,
we, who have heard the news of the Gospel
often from our childhood onwards
can take it all for granted.
Sometimes we hear but don't really believe
that the message of healing and hope
can apply to our life.
Strengthen our faith this day;
may we remember to keep praying for others;
and to believe that all things are possible.
Amen.