The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul told a lame man at Lystra to stand upright, and the man leaped up and walked. Luke added, “when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, ...”, and in chapter fourteen and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul and Barnabas asked, “Sirs, why do you these things?”, where we read:
And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
The verse begins, “And saying, Sirs, why do you these things?” Luke began with the words, “and saying” which means “and uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Sirs” or “people, which consisted of both males and females”, “why do you these things” which means “for what reason and cause are you uttering, declaring and proclaiming the idea that we, Paul and Barnabas” are gods and desiring to worship us”? Luke shared how “Paul and Barnabas” questioned the people of “Lystra” as to why they were calling them “gods” and attempting to worship them.
The verse continues, “We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, ...” Luke added the words, “we also are men of like passions with you” or “we, Paul and Barnabas, even so and indeed exist as people who are similar in suffering, feelings and affections like you people of Lystra”, “and preach unto you” which means “and announce, herald and proclaim to you people of Lystra” “that you should turn from these vanities” or “that you, people of Lystra, should transition and convert apart and separate from that which is devoid of truth, without result, having no success and of no purpose” “unto the living God” which means “toward the full of vigor, strong, efficient, active and powerful Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Paul and Barnabas” told the people in Lystra they were “similar to them” in “feelings and affections”, and their purpose was to convert them from empty and devoid of truth entities to a relationship with “God Almighty” who is alive and powerful.
Finally the verse reads, “which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:” Luke continued this verse by writing, “which made heaven” or “who produced the sky and the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”, “and earth” which means “and the arable land, territory, country and ground”, “and the sea” or “and the large bodies of water known as the sea”, “and all things that are therein” which means “and each, every, the whole and everything that is within the heaven, earth and sea”. Luke ended this verse with the idea that “God Almighty” created the “heaven, earth and sea” as well as everything that is within them.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn why “Paul and Barnabas” reacted so impetuously to the actions of the people in Lystra. They were “similar” to the people to whom they were speaking in their affections, feelings and sufferings, and they were not pointing the people to themselves, but rather to “Almighty Creator God”. The people of “Lystra” were worshiping “vain and empty” “gods”, and “Paul and Barnabas” were sharing how they could have a personal relationship with the true God. “Paul and Barnabas” did not want or desire the worship of the people of Lystra because God alone, who sent His Son Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of the world, deserves to be worshiped, glorified and praised. All glory should go to Him, and those who are wise will direct their worship and praise to God the Father and His Son Jesus and never make the mistake of worshiping people who are similar to or better than themselves.
Next time Luke shares how God, “suffered all nations to walk in their own ways”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment