Acts 14.1-20 - Lystra

You've seen it in the movies, a person mistaken for a god.  It happened in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, when the Ewoks worshiped C-3P0 (right).  And it happened to Paul and Barnabas.

The people of Lystra had the right idea about the wrong people.

They wanted someone to worship and trust.  

And how quickly we turn when others disappoint us.  Lystra went from worship to stoning and don't miss a beat. We build up celebrities, sports heroes, or politicians, only to tear them down in their humanity.

Paul and Barnabas proclaimed God in human form, but they proclaimed Jesus and not themselves. Lystra (and we) miss the really important message - "turn from these worthless things to the living God."  There's something more out there - a relationship with a merciful and living God.(below: Lystra (just a mound) today)