TO GOD BE THE GLORY
Jesus told his followers “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next…”
Paul and Barnabas did exactly that. They were in the city of Iconium preaching the gospel, but things turn ugly for them. They were assaulted by the Gentiles, the Jews, and their rulers.
Paul and Barnabas took to their heels and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, where they continued to preach the gospel to the people of those cities. During their stay in the city of Lystra, an unnamed man who was crippled from birth was healed after the two disciples have prayed upon him. In the presence of all the crippled man got up and walked.
Unfortunately for Paul and Barnabas, the people of Lystra misunderstood the miracle as they proclaimed Paul and Barnabas to be gods.
The two disciples were infuriated when the understood what was happening as the priest of the pagan gods of Lystra were about to offer sacrifices. Paul and Barnabas reminded them that they were humans like the rest of them, saying “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good new that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all that is in them…..”
The intervention of Paul and Barnabas fell on deaf ears, as the priest went ahead to offer the sacrifices to. The Psalmist puts it well: Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
In the gospel, Jesus reminded his disciples and us not to lose sight of all that he has told us. Jesus said the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, whom the Father will sent in his name will teach and remind us of all Jesus has told us. Hence, as we take on His works of evangelization we are not alone, the Holy Spirit will advocate for us.
Like Paul and Barnabas, may we always release that all glory should be given to God and not to works of human hands. We are not the center of the universe. Our God is good all the time.
Have a wonderful week
