The Rev’d Jim Lam

6th Sunday of Easter. 10 May, 2026.

Readings: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:7-19, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

Most of us gathered here have families. Some of us are parents, or even grandparents. Have
you ever been asked by a child about his or her origin?

A child went to his father with the question, “Where did I come from?”

Wanting to be a modern dad ready for a heart to heart between father and son, the man
stopped short from blurting out “a stork delivered you”. Instead, he hesitantly started,
choosing his words carefully, and said, “Well, son, now that you are old enough to understand,
it takes a sperm cell from a male and an egg from…”

The child stopped him with a heavy sigh and uttered, “Oh dad, I was only asking where did
our family live before we came to New Zealand.”

Where did we come from?

Some of us were born here, some were from Europe, some were from Asia, and from various
parts of the world. But if we ask, where did human beings come from? That’s a long time
theological and philosophical question. The apparent contradiction between religious and
scientific views on human origins has fueled debates for centuries.

It is interesting to note that across many global mythologies, human beings were created by
divine deities. In the Greek tradition, Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena
breathed life into his clay figure. As someone well-versed in the language, culture and
literature of the Greek world, this thought might have passed through the Apostle Paul’s mind
when he stood in front of the Areopagus.

In the first century AD, the Areopagus served as the meeting place for the Council of the
Areopagus, an elite body overseeing religion and philosophy. Paul was invited to appear
before the Council, because he preached in the marketplace about Jesus and his resurrection.
In a sense, we can even say that Paul was on trial for advocating foreign divinities, an act
which was illegal in the city-state without authorization.

True to his own words that he had become all things to all people, so that he might by any
means save some (1 Corinthians 9:22), Paul shaped his address in exactly the form which it
would have assumed in the mouth of one of Athens’ own orators.

The Apostle saw that the city was full of idols (v.16) and was deeply distressed. However, he
took into mind people’s deep-seated need to search for God. And so, he did not charge them
with superstition, but rather, saw it as a proof of their devotedness to the cause of religion
and of their regard for the divine.

He told his hearers that, as he wandered through the city, he noticed one altar with the
inscription “To an unknown god”. Thus prepared, Paul began his proclamation of this
unknown deity. He began with the creation, which he declared to be the act of one personal
God.

Setting forth a reasoned declaration of the nature of the Godhead and the relations of a
philosophy of history and an argument against idolatry, he even quoted Greek poets to
illustrate the relationship between God and human. He quoted, “in him we live and move
and have our being”, and added, “for we too are his offspring”.

Not only did Paul claim one origin for all human, he also declared the one Creator God’s
providential guidance of all nations in regard to their place in the world and the epochs of
their history.

Moreover, as creator and sustainer of the whole creation, God is higher and greater than all
things made by man, therefore, he does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor served
by human hands. Paul further challenged the Athenians not to make images of God using
gold, silver or stone, because human, as God’s offspring, was created by God, not the other
way round.

But this is not the end of the story. Our God is not a creator god who establishes the universe,
sets it in motion, and then leaves it alone. He has prepared a redemption plan for humanity
before the foundation of the world. For this, our God has even taken the form of human and,
through his living and dying, and rising again, brought life and redemption to the world. Paul
called the Athenians to repent, because come fullness of time, the world will be judged in
righteousness.

Perhaps, some may wonder why is there a need for repentance and redemption? If, according
to the Genesis account, everything created were good in God’s eyes, why was it possible for
humanity to fall? Did it mean that God did not foresee this when he created Adam and Eve?
If sin is the ultimate cause of suffering (Genesis 3), why did God allow this to happen to his
people?

From Paul’s words to his audience at Areopagus, we know that God’s plan of redemption
through Jesus Christ was not an afterthought but an integral part of God’s purpose from the
beginning. God, in his omniscience, knew that humanity would sin and would be separated
from him. But this did not deter him from creating and making the world and everything in
it. From the beginning, God has fixed the time and the plan to assure that humanity would
be saved and would return to him.

Yes, the God revealed in the Christian faith has never failed his people, although he does allow
them to go through trials and sufferings. It is described in Psalms 66 which we just read that:
“for you, O God, have tested us, you have tried us as silver is tried…, you brought us into the
net…, we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious
place.” God allows his people to go through agony and anguish, so that they can choose of
their own free will to have a genuine relationship with him. As Pastor James Cole of Sovereign
Grace Community Church in Grovetown puts it, “Faith that costs nothing isn’t worth anything”,
because “we probably hold more value on those things that costs us the most.” This echoes
Peter’s words in his epistle: “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be
God’s will…For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in
order to bring you to God.”

We thank God that for us who believe in him, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John
14:6). He lived among his people, so that his life could be for us a spiritual mirror that not
only reflect perfectly God’s love, mercy and truth, but also reveal to us the possibility of a new,
redeemed nature in his likeness.

This way, we may have hope to be restored to be all God created us to be – back into a state
of wholeness in character, relationship and purpose. In the image of God.

And to guide believers’ way towards this end, Jesus promised to send an advocate that would
abide with his followers always. This was made before Jesus ascended into heaven. However,
as he departed, he reassured his disciples that this separation would only be temporary, a
prelude before eternal togetherness. Even so, he would not leave them uncared for. This
advocate, the Spirit of Truth, would provide ongoing guidance, comfort and strength,
empowering them to continue his mission on earth.

May we make room in our hearts for the Spirit, so that even through suffering and doubts,
we may receive the blessings that come with our faith. May the risen Lord be our strength.
Amen.