Sunday

This week we are with the Apostle Paul in Lystra, where he and Barnabus participated in a healing, were mistaken for Greek god, Zeus whose Temple was nearby, and then stoned by a roused up crowd when they refused to be consider as god's.

Paul is stuggling to make clear to an audience that doesn't much understand the idea of a monothestic faith what it means to understand Jesus as Christ and Son of God. The missionary task of translating biblical ideas over multiple cultures is challenging.

Healing in there minds was a sign they were gods or at least sons of gods. The idea was foreign to Paul. He was human, invited into a relationship with God through Jesus. He was able, but God could work through him, and through them if they were interested.

Which leads to the 1 Corinthian reading: idols aren't real, so food offered to them is safe to eat. None-the-less, scruples are important. If a person is concerned about doing something that might appear to comprimize them or their faith, don't be a part of putting them in that position. Be faithful to them and with them. Put them in a position to grow and be stronger.

Hmm. How can we help each other get stronger?