Lystra's story involves a man who could not use his feet; a
cripple from birth, who had never walked, sitting there listening to Paul.
Paul, looking intently at him saw that he had faith to be made well, and loudly
said, "Stand up; get to your feet!" The man sprang to his feet and walked.
And the crowds seeing what Paul had done, lifted up their voices, in
Lycao'nian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"
Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they
called Hermes. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the
people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their
garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, "Men, why are you doing
this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and 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. In past generations he allowed
all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet he did not leave himself without
witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons,
satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." With these words they
scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
In a Nutshell
Paul healed a cripple and the city of Lystra responded. Paul and Barnabas were worried. They had to think quickly and make sure their message was not misunderstood. They were not divine messengers, but how could they explain that to the Lystrans?
Questions
What effect did "tearing their garments" have on these people?
Paul, like Peter, was involved in healing. The apostles carried on the healing work begun by Jesus. Jesus healed from the outset of His ministry in Galilee. His arrest in Gethsemane didn't stop Him doing what had to be done. Now the healing work was in Lystra. Luke doesn’t tell us if there was a synagogue there. But after the healing the city was in uproar. The locals were worshippers of Greek gods. They did not worship the God of Israel, and though impressed by Paul and Barnabas, they did not have much understanding of Jewish beliefs. Paul, they said, must be Hermes, the spokesman for the gods; Barnabas was Zeus. Maybe this occurred during a festival. If so the healing had taken on a significance they could not have anticipated. But seeing worship directed at themselves, Paul and Barnabas "tore their clothes". At the trial of Jesus the High Priest tore his robes, declaring Jesus guilty of blasphemy. It symbolised deep offence. Paul and Barnabas would know what they intended by this act but I doubt whether the Lystran people, and the Priest of Zeus, understood. Think about it? What would people think if they had begun to "tear out their hair"? Paul was exposed. Despite the healing all he could do was say something like, "Hey stop being so stupid!" He was on the back foot.
Then he tried to tell them what the Almighty expects of us humans. Look at what he said. He told the crowd they had good news. Then he said that their worship is vain! Games and trifles! Give them up, he says. Turn instead to the living God, the One who made the heavens, the earth and the sea. God made the domain of human endeavour, where we live, work, fish, travel, and worship. This God, says Paul, allowed you and your ancestors to take off on your own paths even though He did make Himself known and He gives you your daily food. Oxen and flowers also belong to Him. Paul did not make much headway even though what he said about the biblical teaching of creation, and our human place in it, is liberating.