The Standard October 25, 2025
Last week my husband and I enjoyed a rare and extremely special treat–our first trip to Greece. We were most eager to visit a few sites associated with the Apostle Paul and his fearless, thorough articulation of the unparalleled news that Jesus, fully divine and fully human, came to earth as a sacrifice in our place.
On Thursday morning in Athens we visited Mars Hill, also known as the Areopagus, where Paul was taken to explain more fully this “new” teaching he was bringing. He began speaking to the philosophical men about the fact that, amongst the many idols, there was an altar inscribed to “an unknown god.” Paul proceeded, “So, you are ignorant of the very thing you worship– and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.’” Acts 17:23b-27
Paul went on to explain that Jesus Christ was crucified and was resurrected from the dead. Back then, as today, the teaching of the resurrection of the Lord is/was offensive or ridiculous to many. Of course, the Apostle Paul and the eleven disciples saw the resurrected Jesus and were willing to be martyred for the conviction that grew from what they had witnessed.
One of the most moving parts of our trip to Greece happened at the bottom of Mars Hill. A trio of young women with beautiful voices sang in English a contemporary worship song called “What a Beautiful Name It Is” by Hillsong Worship. Right next to that spot, thousands of years before, the Apostle Paul also was honored to proclaim the beautiful name and story of Jesus the King.
While on our tour of ancient Corinth that day we saw the “Bema,” or the judgment seat where Paul, during his second missionary journey, stood trial before Gallio for the accusation by the Jews of breaking the law. Proconsul Gallio would not judge the case, as he considered it merely a matter of a religious dispute and not applicable to Roman law.
Near us, there was a different English-speaking tour guide. She said something to her group to the effect of, “I’m not sure if I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. He was, however, the most amazing person in history when it came to rights and care for women, lepers, the poor, and the outcast.” It was incredibly sad to hear someone in 2025 suggesting to people the very thinking the Apostle Paul warned against.
Jesus was not just a good man; he was not simply an excellent example. His death and resurrection were not optional, but foundational. Why would Jesus have suffered all of that just to provide one of many ways to God? Christ was and is God incarnate, who returned to the Father and to the Holy Spirit after breaking the chains of sin and death.
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