This weekend, as I digging through the scriptures, I was reading up on the Adventures of Paul and Barnabas! Those dudes just could not take a hint!
Some Backstory…
Paul and Barnabas was sent out as missionaries and reached Iconium. As per usual, they went to the synagogue, started preaching to the Jews, and soon the non-Jews started gathering as well because these guys were preaching fearlessly and boldly, backing up their message with miracles, signs and wonders!
“Yet Paul and Barnabas stayed there for a long time, preaching boldly and fearlessly about the Lord. Many trusted in the Lord, for he backed up his message of grace with miracles, signs, and wonders performed by the apostles.”
(Acts 14:3 TPT)
But to make a long story short: The unbelievers came together and devised a plan to stone Paul. So a day or two later, they left the city and went to Lystra.
Wash, Rinse Repeat.
Again, Miracles happened with the strong preaching, and again, there were those that opposed them, but this time, the people were so impressed with the signs and wonders that they decided Paul is the god Hermes, and Barnabas is Zues (I wonder if in the stories afterwards they were joking about why Barnabas was Zues and Paul was just the “messenger” Hermes 😉 )
Anyhoo… they were so convinced that they brought offerings to burn before their “gods”. It was a whole big thing. Total admiration. Total respect. And a total stuff-up!!
When Paul and Barnabas realised what was going on they tore their clothes, and started explaining… trying to stop the people of the city from trying to worship them instead of God, trying to get through to them… Of course, the unbelievers arrived and the tide turned. The city turned against them, and Paul was stoned.
To death.
Not dead-ish. DEAD.
(Some translations differ about the “dead” part, but the Greek word for him standing up is ANISTEMI, used 27 times in the New Testament in reference to people raised from the dead… soo… I’m going with that)
His body was dragged out of the city and left outside of the walls. Fortunately (or unfortunately for Paul) some believers gather around him, and he anistemi’d. He stood up.
Now, I would have taken my stuff and be on my way. Not Paul. HE TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK INTO THE CITY! (I can hear him grumbling about ‘leaving when I am good and ready…’)
”But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.”
(Acts 14:20 NIV)
Anyhoo, the next day they did, in fact, leave for Derbe. Wash rinse repeat.
BUT… When they were done in Derbe, what did they do? GO BACK TO LYSTRA and Iconium.
“Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 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.”
(Acts 14:21–22 NIV)
Hardships?!
But now… How much am I willing to take in negative opposition before calling it quits, before dusting the dirt from my sandals and leaving?
How big are the challenges I am facing today? Have I been stoned yet? No? Let us then continue.
Maybe we are not meant to take a hint, and just to live up to our calling?
Be blessed my friends! It’s going to be a great week!
