Do you have the look?
Paul saw something in the way a crippled man was listening to the Gospel as he preached it. This set the man apart from the crowd, who could hear him speaking but didn’t believe. Thinking about the contrast between the two can help us to focus on what real faith in Jesus Christ is, and to appreciate it’s immeasurable power to save. See how he listens to learn not confirm, how he trusts in God not man and how he gives God the glory not man. Who are we like, the cripple or the crowd?
Scripture
Acts 14:8-18 ESV Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. [9] He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, [10] said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. [11] And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” [12] Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. [13] And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. [14] But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, [15] “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. [16] In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. [17] Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” [18] Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Bible Study Questions
God is Glorified through another servant
It’s not the first time we see a man born unable to walk or even stand, looked at intently by a servant of God and ending up leaping around. Why do you think the Lord made so many parallels between the miracle He did through Peter, and this one through Paul? Why is it important that we learn that they are both servants of the same all powerful God?
Acts 14:8 ESV Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.
Acts 3:2,4,8 ESV And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple… [4] And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” …[8] And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
Faith comes from hearing the Word of God
This crippled man was listening to Paul speaking. Paul was in all likelihood telling them about Jesus, and sharing His Gospel - and because the man was truly listening to the Word of Christ, he had faith to be saved, to be made well, not just physically but spiritually. What do you think came first, faith in Jesus and His Gospel, or faith that this man could be healed physically?
Acts 14:9-10 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, [10] said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.
Romans 10:17 ESV So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
The contrast between the crowds and the crippled man
Unlike the crippled man, the crowds did not listen and hear. They took only as much of the message which agreed with the terrible pagan lies that they already believed. Instead of learning about Jesus, the One true God who did come to us in human form, they defaulted to their own superstitions. Instead of being filled with gratitude for His, sacrifice they wanted to appease their idea of God with their own sacrifices. When we hear and study the Word of God are we like the cripple or like the crowds?
Acts 14:11-13 ESV And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” [12] Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. [13] And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
Mark 4:23-25 ESV If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” [24] And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. [25] For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
God deserves the Glory, not man
Listening to the Gospel means humbling accepting that we can not be right with God in our own efforts. Our smallest sin destroys every pretence of being able to please God with our own efforts. God deserves all the glory for everything good that we or anyone else could ever do. We should never take that glory on ourselves or give it to another human being. What happened to Herod when he tried to take God’s Glory?
Acts 14:14a ESV But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, [15] “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you,
Acts 12:22-23 ESV And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” [23] Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
See what God is revealing, not what what we already know
The mission of Paul and Barnabus was to turn the crowds away from the worthless and wicked worship of false gods. Their method was to share the good news, the Gospel of Jesus so that they would worship the One true God who created all things. They were not content to leave them in an degree of ignorance about God. Grasping the majesty of creation should bring a realisation of the Awesome God who created it all. What do you think about creation, does it leave you in awe of God, or do you think it’s all just an accident?
Acts 14:14b ESV and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 ESV For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
God’s Grace leads us to the Truth
Even though these pagan gentiles had no Bible or God given law, they were not without witness to the Grace of God who had provided for them throughout the history of their civilization. Appreciation of the gracious gifts of God should humble us and draw us to Him. How are you focusing on gratitude to God for His grace today?
Acts 14:16-17 ESV In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. [17] Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
Romans 2:4 ESV Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
The massive struggle against sin
To truly appreciate the power and preciousness of the grace of God we need to acknowledge the stubbornness of human sin and rebellion. Who is the Only One who can save us from our own evil desires?
Acts 14:18 ESV Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Romans 7:21-25 ESV So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.