I have been meditating over the past year or so on the Scriptures that refers to Paul being stoned outside the city (when I say ‘over the past year’ it really means from time to time over that period… my ability to ‘meditate’ is seriously limited).
Here first a summary:
They dragged Paul out of the city… he got up and went into the city.
Out of the city –> into the city! That’s the part that I have focused on, the fuller reading is:
But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe (Acts 14:19,20).
Paul’s mission was to go to the cities of the Roman Empire and there proclaim the change of era that had been initiated for the entire world in a relatively obscure province at the Eastern end of the Empire. He is removed from the context of where he was to be and to function (dragged out of the city).
Was Paul dead (I tend to think so)? He certainly was considerably worse for wear!!! There was a big need for a corporate healing meeting, but this is not what Luke says. No mention of prayer, just a bunch of disciples – and if that word is anything to go by (meaning ‘well capable of making a mistake’, like a learner driver) I guess those surrounding Paul were like us – some having no idea what to do, others convinced this is a major setback and the end, others with their Scriptures ready to confess, demons rebuked, praises sung and tears shed. Thanks Luke for the summary term ‘disciples’. ‘Not many smart people’ for sure.
After the remarkable turn around (understatement) Luke does not record that this was a time to testify, to praise God with some great gusto… we simply read that Paul got up and went into the city.
OK… in suggesting (as I am) that this Scripture is coming into focus in this season I am aware that we are body and when we think we have THE answer we will find there are breakthroughs and setbacks together; that even when many have a breakthrough it does not seem that many = all. However, when we don’t get our breakthrough I want to encourage us – we are body and my setback might just give someone else their breakthrough. There is not a ‘standard’ to be reached.
I have been with this Scripture and brought it to various individuals and also situations because many of us have found ourselves ‘dragged out’ of the city (place where we need to be – can be location, relational or understood in different ways). It might be sickness, financial pressure, relational breakdown…
I find it interesting that Luke does not record that every bruise had gone, that Paul had no more pain – all of that would be more than helpful, but the core focus is not on what might be helpful but on what was necessary – to get back on track. That is what happened – got up and went back into the city and in the following 7 verses Paul and Barnabas go to 6 more cities. Back on track!
As you read this post be a disciple and be part of that ring that surrounds others. They might be healed, they might get a breakthrough that they so long for… but the real issue is simply ‘back on track’. The core of what I need is not to be healed or life becomes easy… but to be back on track. What can I do today for I need to go back into the city.