SUNDAY- 13TH AUGUST, 2023
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
THE NAMES JUPITER AND MERCURY
Acts 14:11-12, KJV
"11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
You can earn yourself a name. Name is very powerful as a means of identity. Paul and Barnabas earned themselves names. Not that they were intentionally driven at that but that was one of the honours of their being used by God.
After the healing of that lame from his mother's womb, everybody in surprise of what was done couldn't keep shut but rather say, "the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men". Why would they say that? Why would they compare them to the gods? That's obviously because of the great miracle wrought by their hands. They are privy to how long that lame must have been there. They'd repeatedly seen him. They knew it was not a scam that he therefore rose up and walked. Seeing that, they accord it as only what the gods could have done. And indeed, a miracle is not what any human could do. Christians only do it because the Holy Spirit (a God) enables him. So, they're correct to an extent when they said, "the gods are come down to us in the likeness of men". Only that they were corrupt in their understanding of who to give credit and glory to. It wasn't the gods Jupiter or Mercury or any other but God almighty who don't live in houses made by human hands.
On that note, seeing there are two speakers, they named Barnabas, Jupiter and Paul, Mercurius. Who's Jupiter and who's Mercurius and why would they name these two apostles after them (in their own understanding and as a means of venerating them - the apostles).
Briefly, Jupiter is the god of the sky and thunder, and king of the gods in ancient Roman religion and mythology. Jupiter was the chief deity of Roman state religion throughout the Republican and Imperial eras, until Christianity became the dominant religion of the Empire. Meanwhile, Mercurius is a major god in Roman religion and mythology, being one of the 12 Dii Consentes within the ancient Roman pantheon. He is the god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, messages, communication (including divination), travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery, and thieves; he also serves as the guide of souls to the underworld.
We may begin to gather insights into why Paul especially was given the name Mercurius. Mercurius is the god of eloquence, messages and communication. No wonder Paul was given that name on the basis that he was the chief speaker. Chief speaker immediately reminds you of high school debates where there's a main and supporting speakers. For the orality of Paul, he earned a name after a god whose characteristics he displayed.
Now, you may wonder and rebuke Satan for these two apostles. You may be jealous for their sakes and do not want them be joined to idols. However, you ought see that it is the life they already have and which they lived out that earned them that name. They're not trying to mimick those gods in attitudes. If it were possible, it's the gods and their people who are looking unto them. They didn't give that name to them from expectation. They did from experience and contact of having known them to be supernatural men - the likes of the gods. On that note, they have those names. The truth is that you can earn a name by what you do, how you live or what you're reputed for. This same name, "Barnabas" was a surname given to Joses. Barnabas means "the son of consolation" (Acts 4:36). As we all know, consolation or comfort is the byproduct of a prophet's or exhorter's offices. Having observed he has such gift, they recognized it by naming him after a life he lives and the task he does. So, he earns Barnabas.
Christians are in this world to be light and sweet perfume spreading the fragrance of Christ. The testimony concerning us should be so blessed that we'll be reputed for a healer, lover, giver, comforter, helper, encourager, blesser etc. Watch it if you've been misnamed due to unrighteousness and misbehaviour.
PRAYER: Teach me holily and power packed living that I may be answers to all in needs.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7
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