This rugged, rough stone that we are sitting on is called the Areopagus, known as Mars Hill in Athens, Greece. It is a place that is completely opposite of the majestic Acropolis (see full picture below) with all its boast of man-made splendor. Mars Hill is simply a huge rugged rock that rises out of the ground just to the side of and just below the grand Acropolis. If you are not familiar with the significance of it, you would miss it, and the majority of the people in Athens did the day that we were there. But for us, we knew that this was the place where Paul gave his most famous speech explaining who the “Unknown God”, the “True God”, was to the philosophers of the day.

 

We climbed to the top of this rock by a set of metal stairs to help the ascent to the top. It was extremely hot that day. The the rocky surface on the top was extremely uneven, slick and hard to walk. It was not an easy climb to the top or an easy path to walk. We had to really watch our step to keep from falling.

 

Mars Hill never had a statue or a temple or a building erected on the top. It simply remained a “rock”. How appropriate that Paul preached the gospel of the resurrected Christ here. It was a simple but powerful message about the true “ROCK”, the “ROCK of our salvation”.

 

The only sign or reference today that points to this site is a simple engraved plaque with the scripture of Acts 17, written in the old ancient Greek language. The sign hangs unnoticed to many near the bottom of Mars Hill just before the steep climb up. Many people are unable to read the sign. Many people are unable to understand the message. Many people completely miss the life-giving gospel and the significance of the place which stands before them.

 

Paul came to Athens alone. He arrived in the city of Athens by boat, escorted safely by believers from Berea. Silas and Timothy stayed behind in Berea and planned to meet up with Paul, which they did, only to have Paul send them back to check on the newly formed churches of Thessaloniki and Philippi.

 

Paul began to talk to the well known philosophers of the day. They were always interested in new ideas and loved to discuss and debate new concepts. Paul’s bold teaching of Jesus in the marketplace fascinated these philosophers and they actually invited him to come to the Areopagus to tell them more about this new and strange teaching. What an opportunity!

 

Paul stood at the top of the Areopagus and preached: “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you…” And so Paul explained to them about the God that was unknown to them, the True God, the resurrected Christ. Many believed, but many did not. After this powerful message and his short time in the city, Paul left Athens and continued south to the city of Corinth.

 

The ROCK still stands firm today! Though millions of people may walk past, ignore, or even reject. The ROCK does not attract the crowds or appear as a thing of beauty. The ROCK does not promise fortune or fame or glory. But, the ROCK is the foundation stone. It is the firm foundation. It is the gospel message of salvation for all, and it still stands today and will always stand. Jesus Christ is the ROCK! I am so thankful that I have made my stand upon the ROCK! Have you?