Feb 16, 2018
You may recall the 1939 movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, starring Jimmy Stewart in the title role. In the movie, Mr. Smith, a relatively naïve and recently appointed United States Senator finds himself emmersed in the corruption-filled context of Washington power politics. He is a fish out of water, an innocent lamb surrounded by vicious wolves. Mr. Smith is appointed because he is seen as an easy to manipulate stooge who won’t rock the proverbial boat or cause any waves. But he would prove them wrong. In a way, Acts 17:10-21 reveals Paul in a similar vain. But he is far from naïve and anything but a stooge. Paul is a powerful proponent of the gospel and a formidable adversary for any who would stand against it. Even when he finds himself alone in the big city of Athens, surrounded by false gods and pagan philosophers who spend their days debating and discussing, he is anything but overwhelmed. In fact, he is in his element, seizing the opportunity to discuss the truth of the gospel with those who had a penchant for new and strange things. Paul was alone, but not intimidated. He found himself in enemy territory, but was not afraid. He saw Athens as an opportunity to spread the gospel and to see God work. While the sheer number of false gods bothered him, it also inspired him to speak of the one true God. The presence of falsehood demanded that the truth be told. The worship of non-existent gods simply proved to Paul that the people of Athens were ready to hear about the God who brought all things into existence, including them.