Scripture
Reading
Acts chapter 17
Scripture Text
‘God, who made the world and everything in it’
Acts 17:24
A couple of days ago we visited
Cyprus with Paul. Now we are going to visit Athens. Maybe you have been to
Athens and have seen what it is like. When I visit somewhere for the first time
I like to look around. In fact I like to take a bus tour. I am sure Paul didn’t
do this, as they didn’t have buses, but I think he would have walked a lot and
looked carefully at everything.
There were many different temples
and idols in Athens representing different gods. Paul was shocked when he found one that
had this writing – “To the unknown God”. The people in Athens didn't know the only true
God and they were scared that they had missed one out. That's how superstitious the were.
While walking around the city
Paul visited the Synagogue. This was the place where the Jews met. As Paul was
a Jew they would be pleased to see him. While he was there he explained all
about Jesus to them.
During the days that Paul was in
Athens he got quite upset. The people were clever but confused about God.
Everyday he went down to the city centre and talked to people about Jesus. Some
people thought that he was crazy. Other people were quite interested in what he
had to say.
Athens had the
greatest University in the world at the time. Many people came to Athens to talk about
clever ideas. One of the important places in the city was called ‘Mars Hill’.
In Mars Hill there was a court where some very clever judges met. They invited
Paul to come and talk to them about Jesus. Paul finished his talk by telling
them that Jesus was alive and was coming back to judge the world. Some of these
clever men laughed in Paul’s face. That is often the way that people respond to the the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank God for His Son, Jesus. I wonder what your response to this message will be?
Suggested Prayer
Dear Father, It is great to know that you made everything and
everything is in your control.
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