So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
Acts 17:22-23 NLT
The men of Athens - known for their intellect, known to be very religious, with temples and shrines to every god, wanted to make sure they were covered (so to speak), so they even had an altar 'To an Unknown God'.
Paul was deeply troubled by all the idols in Athens (vs 16). The Greek word for troubled is 'paroxysm' - meaning sudden, violent emotion. That is intense!
Paul went to the synagogue. He spoke in the public square. And then he went to Mars Hill to deliver the Good News. He took his cue from what they had, the altar to an unknown god, and made it about the only God they needed to know.
Paul's desire to see the lost brought into the Kingdom of his Christ overrode every other thing in his life. He reasoned, they ridiculed, he continued to those who would hear. I encourage you to read again the Book of Acts...
Oh, that we would dare to stand and make an Unknown God known to a lost and dying world!
Prayer:
Father,
Make us bold! Blow on the embers of our hearts and cause us to burn with holy fire and anointing to make You known to whoever will listen! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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