Look out for the But

Look out for the But! Acts 14.19-28

podcast: http://www.pastorwoman.com/podcasts/be298fc0-4d8e-4c82-b571-4d3652b...


People are fickle -
"One minute they love you,
the next minute they quit you,
then it's back to missing you. I don't get it."1
Jesus came riding into Jerusalem to the cheers of the throngs one day ... a few days later they shouted 'crucify him!' and then ... folks who loved and revered him grieved that he was gone.

"For a change, lady luck seemed to be smiling on me. Then again, maybe the fickle wench was just lulling me into a false sense of security while she reached for a rock."2 A little over a decade after Jesus, another came on the scene. As Paul was finishing out his first trip to take the Gospel from Palestine to lands beyond, in an instant, folks went from glorifying him, wishing to deify him, to stoning him.3

There seems to be something telling about the word 'but' in Scripture. Luke writes, "But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead."

Stoning was a Jewish punishment, so it was likely that Jews led the way in hurling the stones at Paul, and soon others joined.
According to Jewish tradition4, the drop from the stoning place was twice the height of a man--a precipice of at least ten feet with rocks below. One of the witnesses would push the criminal from behind so that he fell face forward onto the rocks. If he died from the fall, that was sufficient. If not, he would be turned over and someone would take a large stone and drop it on his heart. If this caused death, that would be the end, but if not, then the accused would be stoned by the onlookers.5

Paul, taking the Good News of life and freedom in Jesus Christ to those who had not heard, was stoned, and left for dead.
And yet Luke writes another 'but' -
"But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city." We can't just read right over that sentence. Stop and think of this--Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city limits, and the people believing him dead, left him in a heap. BUT the disciples (i.e., the Christ followers) stood around him, and the indication is that they were praying for him. So somehow, though Paul was believed to be dead, he stood again. I truly believe that in answer to those who surrounded and prayed for him, Paul was miraculously restored--he got up and walked away.

"The next day he went away with Barnabas" - wait, stop! He was stoned, left for dead, and yet was miraculously restored in answer to the prayers of God's people, and then he resumed the Gospel tour-the very thing that had almost taken his life? Yes, "to Derbe. After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they spent a long time with the disciples."6

Wow! I am undone by the unwavering commitment of Paul to tell others of Jesus, no matter what it cost him. Similarly, I am challenged by these words: "I am part of the 'Fellowship of the Unashamed.' The die has been cast, I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I won't give up, back up, let up or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear."7

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ . . ." Romans 1.16

'You?
A lot to think about, isn't it?

Christine
PastorWoman.com

1 - Rob Hill Sr.
2 - Timothy Zahn
3 - the Mishnah
4 - Acts 14.8-19
5 - http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/acts/14_19-28.htm
6 - Acts 14.19-28
7 - An African martyr's last words

Did you know you can support this ministry at no cost to you?
When you place an Amazon order, select the 'Smile' option,
and then choose Pastorwoman Corp in San Clemente, CA
as your charity and a small portion will be directed to
the ongoing work of spreading the Gospel.

Pastorwoman Corp.
P.O. Box 1195
San Clemente, CA