Paul had encountered threats before, but in Lystra those who plotted against him were able to carry out their plan of jealous vengeance. Paul was stoned into unconsciousness. The wounds he sustained must have looked terrible. The crowd dragged the body out of the city, possibly to the city dump, and left him there to rot. But God spared Paul’s life. There was more he was to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. The walk to Derbe must have been extremely painful for Paul. I wonder how many people asked Paul what had happened to him to be so bruised? Did Paul uses his scars as a means to introduce the grace of God to those questioning him? Even after the wounds had healed and the pain subsided Paul continued to trust in God. He visited the believers in Lystra again before journeying home to Antioch. At the gathering in Jerusalem Paul must have mentioned this brush with death because the letter from the Apostles and Elders made reference to Paul and Barnabas risking their lives for the Gospel (15:26). Such suffering to spread the good news of Jesus humbles me.
It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
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