***
Acts: 14: 19-28
In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.
On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Then they spent no little time with the disciples.
The Word of the Lord.
***
***
Can you recall a moment in your life that demanded courage?
Perhaps it was an extended period of time, like serving a tour of duty overseas.
Maybe it was a single moment like a grace-filled confession.
At times, we all need courage.
***
In our first reading, the Apostle Paul demonstrates tremendous courage for the sake of the Gospel.
He and Barnabas have been preaching all over Greece and Turkey. At times their message is well-received. At others they’re outright rejected.
Today was a case of the latter. The people literally try stoning Paul to death before dragging his life-less body out of town. When he comes to his senses, Paul stands up and walks right back into town, preaching the same message to the same people!
***
His courage that day moved hearts quicker and deeper than a thousand sermons ever could.
“Where did he get this courage from? Is he crazy?” Many must’ve wondered.
There’s no way that Paul could’ve mustered up the strength to risk his life again unless his message was true.
***
Imagine him emerging from that pile of rubble, dusting himself off, and telling you face-to-face:
Jesus Christ was nailed to a tree, then placed in a tomb. But God raised him up from the dead – and will raise up not only him, but all who believe in his name.
How does this good news change your outlook on life today? Does it give you courage to share it with others?
***
***
Image credits: (1) statustown.com (2) The Stoning of St. Paul and Barnabas at Lystra (3) MapleRidge Church