Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. (Acts 14:8–10, ESV)
During their first ministry trip together, Paul and Barnabas arrived in a city named Lystra. As Paul addressed a small gathering, a man sat near him. Born without the ability to develop, he listened as Paul spoke. As Paul scanned the faces in the crowd, the Spirit locked him onto the man. Looking intently at him, Paul saw past the disability and into the man's heart. This man was made in God's image, and he possessed a belief in God's ability—he had faith to be made well. So Paul commanded him to arise. When the man did, the city was in an uproar.
My interest today is the intent look from Paul, along with his ability to see the man's faith. I don't know what told Paul belief was inside this man—perhaps it was a look of anticipation, perhaps it was a word of knowledge—but Paul knew. And—at least in part—Paul knew because he looked.
As a pastor who speaks often, I have learned over time that I often cannot tell what is happening within a person just by looking at their outward demeanor. But what I love in this episode is that Paul came to a Spirit-directed point where he looked intently at the man. He had words to communicate, but he was conscious that this was no mere speech. The divine was interacting with humanity through Paul's words, so he scanned the faces of his audience to gauge what God was doing in them.
My brief encouragement today is for all those who are called in some form to minister to others. Look at the faces of those you are speaking to or serving. Quietly ask God to reveal how he is working in them. Expect that he is doing his fine work, stirring up their faith for his help and healing, change and transformation for life today.
Over the years, I have been blessed with many opportunities to teach the Bible to people. I have a plan when I step into the pulpit—a plan based on the text and study I've put into knowing that text—but I also try to realize this is not a mere presentation. It's an interaction—one where the Living God seeks to interact with his people. So I must look around the room with eyes to see who has the faith to be well.
