Object Lesson
Acts 17:22-34
22So Paul, standing in the midst
of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are
very religious.
23For as I passed along and
observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this
inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this
I proclaim to you.
24The God who made the world and
everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made
by man,
25nor is he served by human
hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life
and breath and everything.
26And he made from one man every
nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined
allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27that they should seek God, and
perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from
each one of us,
28for “‘In him we live and move
and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are
indeed his offspring.’
29Being then God’s offspring, we
ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an
image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30The times of ignorance God
overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
31because he has fixed a day on
which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed;
and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32Now when they heard of the
resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again
about this.”
33So Paul went out from their
midst.
34But some men joined him and
believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named
Damaris and others with them.
 |
| Thomas Jefferson |
In part I grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. Because of Rapid’s
proximity to Mount Rushmore they have taken on the honoring of the American
presidents by placing bronze statues all over the downtown area depicting each
man in a unique way. So on most of the corners you will find a statue. It’s
rather interesting and a good illustration of what Athens must have looked like
during the time of Paul’s missionary trip there. Now I’m fairly certain the
fine folks of Rapid City are not bowing down in worship to their statues, but
the visual image must be similar.
 |
| Calvin Coolidge |
Paul sees an opportunity to share the Gospel as the
Athenians have even erected a statue to “the unknown god” just in case they forgot
one. He, I think rather brazenly, chooses to actually name this god for them in the person of Jesus Christ. As an
educator I simply have to admire his brilliant use of this statue to create an
amazing object lesson. And it works! While some choose to mock his message
(when he gets to the part about Jesus’ resurrection), there are others who believe.
They even invite him to continue his lesson and who knows how long he spoke
with them. And finally, the specter of the Jewish detractors has not followed
him into Athens. He is able to present the Gospel with an ensuing riot. As I
look for the personal growth point in this text I am challenged to seek after
everyday things that direct my attention to the Gospel. The next step is to
take the time to share those observations as boldly as Paul shared his.
Dear Lord, thank You that my world is filled with things
that point to You. Please help me to see them and then to boldly share them
with those around me. Fill my mouth with the right words at the right time so
that opportunities to share You are not wasted. In the name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment