Gee, Thanks?

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” [Acts 14.11]

Paul had just healed a crippled man. But instead of the crowds understanding that God had performed the miracle, they attributed it to Paul and Barnabas.

Rightly so, Paul and Barnabas responded:

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. [Acts 14.14-15]

The thing is, things can get out of control quickly regarding the miraculous. That does not however relieve the believer of his responsibility to look and act like Jesus (including performing great miracles).

In this case, when Paul and Barnabas made it clear that they were not gods, but in fact, servants of God Almighty preaching Jesus, the Good News, the circumstance changed quickly:

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. [Acts 14.19]

What? Paul and Barnabas performed a great miracle, the people were convinced they were gods, Paul and Barnabas refuted that notion, Jews from Antioch and Iconium showed up, and the next historical record shows Paul being stoned and left for dead. 

Gee, thanks?

Jesus was very clear:

Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. [John 15.20]

On this 12th day of November, 2020, Christians in the USA are engaged in intense prayer for a miracle of good over evil in our government. The problem is, if that miracle comes, what then? Will 'evil' just give up and let it be? We should not be so quick to think that will be the case.

In fact, if righteousness and justice prevail in the USA in our present circumstances, Christian people can only be sure that persecution will ramp up even further.

It is a great day to be a genuine believer, ...but not so much for a marginal believer.

Father, help believers in Jesus understand the days and times we are in (particularly here in the USA). Help us to understand the "fig leaves sprouting" (Matthew 24.32) and respond accordingly!