In Acts 17 as Paul entered Athens he was burdened by the formidable pagan idolatry assaulting his eyes. There were temples and statuary to gods and goddesses everywhere throughout the city. His spirit was “provoked.” That is, because he knew the damning results of lies and false worship, and because he loved the truth, his spirit was both tender towards those he longed to reach with the truth, but he was likewise saddened by the overwhelming nature of false religion.

But here was his nonnegotiable: Christ had been bodily raised from the dead. He had been seen for days and days post-resurrection by disciples, by skeptics, by women, etc. 1 Corinthians 15 and John 21 are historical accounts, among many others, of Jesus’ resurrection and post-resurrection appearances to both individuals and to crowds.

Because Christ had been bodily raised from the dead, it was proof of his divinity, of his power over the grave, of all his promises that he was who he said he was. All of the promises of God, in other words, found their Yes in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

And here’s a second expectation that you and I can count on if we’re laboring to be faithful: Expect your bearing witness to the truth to be perverted and/or twisted in ways that distort its truth and your character.

In short, audiences will slander you as the messenger (they called Paul a ‘babbler’ in Acts 17:18, e.g.) and they scoffed at the message of the gospel as “some strange thing[s]” (Acts 17:20), as if it were something to be cavalierly tossed aside, something all but irrelevant. That is the nature of the scornful, of mockers, of fools professing that they’re wise (Romans 1:22).

Encouragement: Be of good courage, Christian soldier. Paul endured it. Peter endured it. John endured it. Esther endured it. Joseph endured it. David endured it. Elijah endured it. But most of all, the Lord Jesus endured it infinitely and fully.

Why? Not just to serve as the perfect example of faithfulness, but to encourage all who will hear and attend–to teach us that we might have hope, that we might press on, that we might not grow weary in doing good, that we might be made like him through the things we suffer for his glory.