Miraculous Sign

Pete Kersker - Jul 28, 2026

In Iconium, there was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel (Acts 14:5-7 NIV).

Paul and Barnabas continued their Spirit-led work from town to town. They followed a pattern when reaching out to the people in each town. First, they went to synagogue on the sabbath to tell the Jews that Jesus is the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) that they had been anticipating. Then, they reached out to the Gentiles to tell them about the way the LORD God provided for all people to be saved.

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking (Acts 14:8-9a NIV).

We want to be careful not to read too much into the silence of Scripture, but this time we are not told about them spending time in the synagogues. Perhaps there weren't many or any in these smaller towns. Maybe they did go but the Scriptures simply don't mention it. What we do learn about, though, is the way God gets the attention of the people in Lystra: a miraculous sign.

Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk (Acts 14:9b-10 NIV).

When God led people in Scripture to break their pattern, what was the result?
Can you give an example?

Has God ever led you to break your normal pattern? What happened?