Crippled man healed: When the crippled man was able to walk, people raised their voices and said in Lycaonian language that gods have come in the likeness of men. Paul was Hermes, while Barnabas was Zeus. Miracles or healing of the crippled man should have led them to Lord Jesus Christ, instead it misled them to believe that Paul and Barnabas were their gods. Paul tried to draw their attention to the true God, who is good and gives humans rain and fruit in seasons. In other words, Paul mentioned that not Zeus, but true God should be worshipped. (Acts 14: 8-18)
Protection from viper: The great apostle Paul was humble to pick wood for the fire along with others in the Island of Malta. A viper came out because of the heat and clung to his hand. Paul was not perturbed. He neither screamed nor was scared. He just shook off the viper into the fire. The local people thought Paul was a criminal, though he escaped shipwreck, he was punished. However, Paul was hale and healthy, for he did not die. The local people changed their stand, and thought Paul was a god. The human thought pendulum swings from one extreme to another extreme. (Acts 28:3-6)
Miracles misunderstood: Both miracles were displays of God’s power: a dramatic healing, and a marvellous protection from a poisonous snake. People identified the channel of blessing, Paul as god. They failed to search for the source of power, God the Truth. The preaching and persuasion of Paul did not work.
God’s divine attributes: God has revealed Himself in nature in a powerful way. “For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
Deceived: When people are obsessed with power, they are not bothered about the source of power. They imagine sources of power as objects like Jupiter or Mars. Sadly, they deceive themselves as they have no excuse.
Do I rejoice knowing God?