"This Babbler"

While in Athens, Paul went to the square. There he learned that the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. (Acts 17:21 RSV)

This has to be one of the funniest verses in the Bible. Picture cronies daily rehashing the tiresome latest trends. Standing around with no concept of useful activity, they reacted to Paul with, “What would this babbler say?” (v. 18b) They looked for whatever diversion they could find, even listening to people they identified as babblers—because they needed something to fill their boring, idle hours.

With great grace, Paul saw this as an opportunity. He presented the gospel.

Reactions varied, especially when he told them about Jesus’ resurrection. Then, some mocked, but others said, “We will hear you again about this” (v. 32b)

Paul did not push his message of Jesus. He quietly moved so he was no longer the center of attention. Some followed him and became believers.

Originally published March 19, 1982.

And Your Household

A Philipian jailer was desperate. The foundations of his prison had been shaken by an earthquake and the inmates were set free. Assuming everyone would escape, the jailer planned to commit suicide to save his good name.

Paul and Silas were in the prison that night. When the earthquake struck, they had been singing praises and praying while the other prisoners listened. No one tried to leave. And when Paul realized what the jailer was about to do he let the man know that even though doors were open and chains were broken, the prisoners were still there.

Why would prisoners remain instead of try to escape? The scene is surreal, but God was apparently reaching the prisoners through praises and prayers of Paul and Silas. When the jailer realized what was happening, he fell down before Paul and Silas . . . “Men, what must I do to be save?” (Acts 16:30b RSV) Paul and Silas shared the gospel: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (v. 31)

The jailer responded to the invitation. But why? And why so quickly? Because his prisoners were present and accounted for?

Could it have been the Holy Spirit? Whatever our interpretation, we know God met both the jailer and the jailed in an hour of crisis. In fact, God’s love extended beyond the jailer himself to touch his entire household or family.

He can do the same for us.

Originally published August 21, 1981.
Picture: Young Geraniums, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Not a Failure

Paul and his new traveling companion Silas had a relatively brief stay at Thessalonica. While they were there, they went to the synagogue as they did in all the cities they visited. For three Sabbaths Paul taught from the Old Testament and encouraged discussion, all the while explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. (Acts 17:3 NIV)

It did not last. Some of the Jews, . . a large group of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women accepted Paul’s teaching. (v. 4) When that happened, leaders of the synagogue were both jealous and threatened, so they incited a riot by riling up ne’er-do-wells from the city marketplace.

According to most standards, the events of those few weeks were not a successful missionary effort. But Paul was not discouraged. He knew God could do great things even when it did not look good.

As a result of those few weeks, a church was established. And Paul could later write to the Thessalonians, You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. ( I Thess. 2:1)

Originally published July 15, 1983.

A Proven Failure

Barnabas had a young cousin named John Mark who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. However, when they were in Pamphylia, John Mark returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13) For that reason, Paul did not want to take John Mark with him on a second missionary journey. (Acts 15) John Mark was held accountable for his failure.

But God is in the business of redeeming and restoring failures, and He both redeemed and restored the young man and his ministry. We know that Paul came to appreciate him, too, because he said to the Colossians, My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark . . . if he [Mark] comes to you, welcome him. (Col. 4:10 NIV) In another letter, Paul told Timothy, Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful. . . . (II Tim. 4:11b)

John Mark was also Peter’s friend. The early church believed (and scholars generally agree) that John Mark wrote Peter’s gospel account—the book of Mark in our Bible.

God took John Mark, worked in the life of the proven failure, and turned him into a success.

Originally published January 27, 1989.
Picture: Pansies, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.