Wednesday 20 May 2020

Psalm: Psalm 46

Background

In today's passage Paul and Barnabas are in Lystra, a place of Gentiles, a place that would be considered a pagan population with no Jewish synagogue. After the miracle of healing the lame man has taken place, the reaction of the crowd demonstrates their pagan background. They begin to try and offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas, believing them to be gods. There was an ancient legend that Zeus and Hermes had once visited the earth as mortal men and were refused hospitality by all but an elderly couple. Later, the gods rewarded the couple but destroyed the homes of everyone else. This pagan audience believed that Paul and Barnabas were Zeus and Hermes returned, and were keen to show them favour, for fear of being punished. As soon as they realised what was happening, Paul and Barnabas spoke out denying this.

The crowd had misunderstood the miracle they had witnessed, and with no knowledge of Judaism to fall upon, Paul speaks to them using a language that they will understand. Instead of quoting scripture, he speaks of the earth that God has created, referring to crops of food and all that God has provided for them. What is interesting here is that Paul needed to speak of God in a different way to this audience than he would to a Jewish audience; he needed to find common ground. In my work with young people, it is not always appropriate to dive straight in with talk of God, as this is often an unknown or unwelcome concept, but instead to find a language that is understood so that conversations can begin.

We no longer live in a society where people have a background and basic understanding of Christianity. Our challenge as individuals, and a Church, is to speak of God in ways that make sense to those around us, recognising the different backgrounds and cultures in which they dwell. Just as the people of Lystra misunderstood Paul’s intentions, we need to be aware that our message and actions could also be misinterpreted by people outside of the Church. We need to share the gospel message in ways that are relevant and speak into people’s lives where they are. It’s not about avoiding certain people or places, but finding the right and appropriate points of connection.

Meg Prowting, Youth and Young Adult Development Officer

To Ponder:

• Are there individuals or groups that you avoid talking to about your faith as you think they won’t understand? How could you share your faith with these people in ways that will connect?
• How willing are you, as a church or individual, to adapt how you speak of God to reach different audiences and generations? What could you do differently?
• The people of Lystra tried to bestow honour onto Paul and Barnabas. They were quick to reject it. Have there been times when you have desired praise or honour for the work that you have done for God? How can we guard ourselves against desiring praise that detracts from the glory being given to God?