One of my favorite mission trips took us to Greece. After a marvelous time of worship with missionaries, we landed in Athens. Everywhere we looked we saw evidence of ancient history. That evening we ate with good friends at the foot of the Acropolis. We looked up at the ancient stones, illuminated with lights, crowning the city of Athens. Unforgettable. I walked up late one afternoon to see the center of worship for myself. On that mountain, the ancient Athenians worshiped their gods and goddesses.
What did Paul see when he landed in Athens from Thessalonica? Idols. He saw idols everywhere. How did he feel about that? Distressed. Why did Paul care? He had Christ. The Athenians had their idols. Why was he distressed? Paul knew that false gods never fail to fail. He also understood that we become like our objects of worship. Those who worship empty idols, ultimately come to nothing.
What would Paul see if he could be transported to our time? In parts of the world, he would find people worshiping small idols made of stone. In our day, some still worship the sun and the stars. But would he find idols if he came to our country? What would he think of our idolization of musicians, politicians, and athletes? Would he think that some religious leaders who have built and ascended their own pedestals are actually idols? John Calvin said our hearts are “idol-making factories.”
Paul’s responded to the rampant idolatry by preaching the good news of the resurrection of the crucified Christ. Thankfully, his preaching attracted the attention of the Epicureans and the Stoics. Paul’s message of good news stood out in the ancient world. It still does. Epicureans, Hedonists, and Stoics still dot the philosophical landscape of our world. But only the crucified and resurrected Christ stands at the top of the mountain of the world’s religions. He alone is God. The good news of salvation is still the answer to the rampant idolatry in our world. Jesus is mighty to save. He is the only one who can fix our broken world. Accept no substitutes.
