This is something I wrote in the Sunday bulletin a couple weeks ago, and I was asked to republish it here.
So if you didn’t get a bulletin in mid-March, here’s what you missed:
Remember the time when Paul and Barnabas were working miracles in Lystra and the residents there assumed they were the gods of their fables come to life (Zeus and Hermes, etc)? Of course you don’t, you weren’t there, but you remember reading it I’m sure (Acts 14:8-13). The whole fiasco culminated in the locals preparing to offer a sacrifice in Barnabas’ honor, and if you’ve not been in a situation where natives are tossing virgins on a barbecue in your honor, boy you haven’t been Eureka Springs after dark!
But I digress.
Paul, fortunately, settled everyone down by pointing out that they were not gods but mere mortals working with the power of the true God (Acts 14:14-15). Of course, even after that, the natives still kept trying to offer sacrifices in their name (Acts 14:18). People can be stubborn about religion. False religions are woven into our culture like weeds that entangle a wheat field. It’s hard to escape the influence of paganism, even in our modern, mostly atheistic society.
For example, even the days of the week on our calendar are in honor of pagan gods:
Sun-day,
Moon-day,
Z(t)eus-day,
Woden’s Day (named for Odin),
Thor’s Day,
Fri(gga) Day (named for the wife of Odin),
Saturn’s Day.
What can we do? Must we rename the days of the week? Must we refuse to call them what they are? I don’t think such extreme solutions are necessary. Instead, let’s follow Paul’s advice and simply give the pagan things to God as an offering (Romans 14:6).
How do we do that?
Sunday is the Lord’s Day; make Sunday your Son (of God) Day.
Monday is the moon day, so “reflect” on God’s Word, the light in dark places.
Tuesday is Zeus’ Day, the champion of the Greek Gods. Instead of him, give homage to Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Wednesday is Odin’s Day, honoring the Norse “Allfather.” Instead, marvel at Jehovah, the true Creator of all life.
Thursday is Thor’s day, but instead of him, think about the real Master and Calmer of wind and storm.
Friday is Frigga’s day, for the goddess of victory. True victory is found in Jesus; think about that as your work week ends.
Finally, on Saturday, give thanks not for Saturn, the Roman god of the harvest, but for the one true God, through whom we reap all blessings and rewards.