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.

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