NOTES for Act 14:1-28
In today's reading we see how astonishing and difficult for human understanding is the mystery of human cooperation with God. For the Gentiles of Lystra it is much easier to accept that the miracle of healing the lame man is connected with Zeus or Hermes coming to them. And when it turns out that the apostles are people just like themselves, they quickly lose all authority and are subjected to beatings and persecutions.
Meanwhile, the essence of apostolic ministry is precisely that they act in God's name, but not in His place. They know that the Lord Himself is present in this world, in those who believe in Him, and therefore with trust they commit the newly established churches to His gracious protection. Without doubt, this mystery of cooperation, of working together with God, must be realized in us as well, and this requires our consent, trust, and devotion to Him. Only we must remember that, on the one hand, we are ordinary people, and on the other hand, God is with us.