Zeus, Hermes and God in Human Form

And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. (Acts 14:8-18 NIV)

Hahaha! When Paul SIMPLY healed a lame man everyone freaked out and thought these two Christians were gods! In fact they thought it was Zeus (Their God) and Hermes (Zeus’ son or the son of god) in human flesh. The crowd wanted to worship and honour them but Paul would have none of it, and directed them to the true God.

But heres the fun bit. God did come in human flesh. The Son of God did come in human flesh. Paul and Barnabas are the body of Christ! Because of their union with Christ, because they were born of the Spirit, they now had God living in them and as a result they even had super-god powers! They could make the lame walk!

Did you know that YOU are the body of Christ? Did you know that the second coming of Jesus is actually Christ in you the hope of glory? (Don’t worry - Jesus will come back later too...) Did you know that the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead now lives in you? Did you know that you have already received everything you need for life and godliness? (2 Peter 1:3)

The fact is that God lives in us and wants to use our body to reconcile the world to Himself. We can do everything that Jesus did and more! (John 14:12) We have no idea how much power and life we carry inside of us, yet when we begin to display it the people around us will be awestruck that we have power like God, which will give us an opportunity to direct them straight to Jesus.

Contemplate On This: I am the body of Christ.