April 15, 2026

Athens

Acts 17:31–32

For He (God) has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.’ When they heard Paulus speaking about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, ‘We want to hear you again on this subject.’ At that, Paul left the Council.

Dear Readers,

Greece is a wonderful vacation destination! The island of Corfu is one of the top vacation spots. Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today’s stamp features the famous Liston in the heart of the city, with its arcades, cafés, and restaurants.

The Apostle Paul did not visit this island during his travels in Greece. We know from the Book of Acts that he was also in Athens (Chapter 17, 16 ff.). There he preached the Gospel in open public. Just as today, back then as well, critics were quick to appear. Paul was mocked as a bubbler. 

But Paul was not deterred by this. When he was invited by some philosophers to speak about his religion at the Areopagus, he went with them. The Areopagus was the site of the highest court in Greece. Paul seized the opportunity. People listened to him for a long time. But when he spoke of the resurrection from the dead, his sermon was interrupted by the mockers, while others said: “Come back tomorrow...!”

What Paul experienced is still experienced today by Christians all over the world. When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus, many listeners lose interest. Often, we Christians are met with nothing more than a smile. Or we are put off until tomorrow, or “sometime.” “That’s enough for today....” No one wants to listen to us anymore.

Yet we may also experience the opposite when we speak of the Lord Jesus Christ: People open themselves to faith in the living God. Verse 34 reports: “Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.“

I am convinced that it was God Himself who opened these people’s hearts to faith. I am thinking of Proverbs 20:12: Ears that hear and eyes that see – the Lord has made them both.

It is a gift when God grants a listener to the Gospel with an open ear for His Word. It is God’s grace when we are allowed to recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer with the eyes of our hearts. 

Perhaps, like Dionysus and Damaris, you are among those to whom God has granted a listening ear for His Gospel and a seeing eye for Jesus Christ. Then rejoice! Be grateful and courageous! Bear witness again and again to your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who has conquered death and who will come again to bring about justice. 

Thank you very much for visiting and listening to me. I wish you a courageous and joyful confession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I look forward to seeing you again for the next short sermon on May 1.