So Paul departed from among them. Acts 17:33
Areopagus, or Mars’ Hill, in Athens is a popular tourist attraction. The rocky summit provides an excellent view of Athens, including the nearby famous Acropolis. But most tourists, in addition to the view, are most interested in a large bronze plaque that is fastened to the rock. The plaque contains the words of the most famous speech ever delivered on on that historic speakers’ platform. Some might think that it would be difficult to identify the most famous speech, given that Mars’ Hill was a platform for some of the most prominent thinkers and orators of ancient times. Great philosophers and academics strutted their stuff there, as did the top political leaders of their day. But the plaque on that hill contains the words of none of those; it contains the words of a Gospel message, or at least the words of a Gospel message that are contained in Scripture. All of those other speeches are forgotten. But Paul’s short and powerful sermon is displayed in Greek letters embossed in bronze. For all of that message’s permanence now, Paul spoke only once at Mars’ Hill. The elite of Athens’ society heard the Gospel only once. This is a solemn reminder to us today to make sure that when the Gospel is preached, it is preached clearly.
Every person around us today is responsible for what opportunities they are given to hear the Gospel. That refers to every Gospel meeting they attend, every Gospel tract they receive, every Bible they ever have received, every Gospel verse they ever hear quoted, every Gospel text they ever see on a billboard, and so on. Some people have many such opportunities. But some, like the highbrows in Athens, have only one. If we read Paul’s sermon, we will see that the apostle was faithful and effective in his delivery. His powerful words made an impression, although few regarded them as any more than entertainment. The next verse tells us that a few people did believe. So Paul would never consider his sermon on Mars’ Hill to be a waste of time. And the Holy Spirit, by preserving the sermon in the Scriptures, has effectively used it to great blessing over the centuries. But that sermon will stand in condemnation against those who heard it and mocked, because they will have no excuse, even though they heard the message only once.
As we speak in the Gospel, as we witness to our neighbours, as we give out tracts, or otherwise present the Gospel, let us make sure we do so kindly, clearly, and effectively, because they may never hear it again. -Jim MacIntosh