First century Athens, Greece, probably about 15-20 years after Jesus’ resurrection. By this point in history it has lost political and economic power. Statues are everywhere, ghosts of Athens’ former glory.
But Athens still the center of the Greek universe for culture and, perhaps more importantly, intellectual pursuits. They love – and are known for loving – anything new in terms of ideas. That’s what they do – stand around talking about new ideas.
And it is in this Athens into which Paul walks. In the middle of this city with a zillion gods, he notices an altar for worshiping an unknown God. And he launches into a speech.
One of his frequent traveling companions, Luke, captures it this way in Acts 17:24-25
The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. Acts 17:24-25, ESV
I can imagine them going, “Huh?”
Let’s make a couple observations before we finish out. One, contrast is the mother of clarity. What the Athenians know is a world of gods who are either courted or appeased…they’re fickle and quarrelsome and you need to be on their good side for safety or a good harvest or getting pregnant, whatever. So Paul is drawing out a lot of contrast…what? A Creator who made everything? One that’s not made of stone or silver. One that’s alive. That was some new news.
Two, Paul didn’t start talking to them about “Christianese” things. They likely had no knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures, weren’t expecting a Messiah to come kick the butts of the Romans, none of that. In other words, he met them where they’re at. And then he says that this very alive God who happens to rule everything has overlooked their ignorance up ‘til now, but they’re not ignorant anymore – because Paul drops the bomb on them that the world will be judged in righteousness by an appointed, chosen man. And this dude himself is the assurance of God’s judgement because God raised Him from the dead.
Now they’re laughing. They mocked him. But interestingly enough it wasn’t all of them. Some said “tell us more” and followed him. And some of them believed.
Now how’s that for a Christmas story? This dude came…and yeah, it was to seek and save the lost, but there’s this other side, too. God’s holy, wants relationship with you, and we need to clean up our junk…except that we can’t and Jesus can.
As connectors, and you’ve heard me say it before, we need to meet people where they’re at. But there’s not one, in-the-box type of message. Where people are it is physical, but it’s also mental and educational and everything else.
And that’s a good lesson to remember. Jesus wasn’t a one-trick pony, Paul wasn’t a one-trick pony, and we shouldn’t be either. So if our charge is to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths and to love others as ourselves, I guess the question is what are we going to do?
May I suggest two things. One, remember that this God that Paul preached doesn’t need anything. He wants us to enjoy Him. That’s the promise of heaven.
Two, we should spend some time with Jesus every day so we’re ready to share in an appropriate way when we have the opportunity? Oh wait, if you’re listening to this, you’re doing that.
And I’m pretty sure Jesus is smiling. He enjoys your company, too.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in communications, an award-winning author and speaker, and a passionately bad guitarist. ForTheHope equips on-the-go professionals with biblical principles to engage marketplace relationships with competent humility. On Twitter can follow him @RogerCourville and/or his podcast @JoinForTheHope, or get all updates by email subscription at www.forthehope.org.