Acts 17:1 Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.
5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”
8 The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.
Well, Paul, the troublemaker is at it again. Paul and Silas have arrived in Thessalonica, and for three Sabbaths, Paul preaches in the synagogue. Many of the Jews are thrilled at the good news of eternal life in Jesus Christ; however, there are others who view Paul’s teachings as nothing but a threat. Now these ultra-religious men cheapen themselves, going to the marketplace and collecting rabble who like nothing better than staging a riot. Perhaps money also changes hands; however, there are always idle young men willing to run around shouting, beating the ground with sticks, and generally creating as much noise as possible. These men even go so far as to attack the home of Jason, a local leader, in hopes of finding Paul and Silas.
Frustrated at missing Paul and Silas, Jewish religious leaders then charge the two with treason against Caesar in absentia and also accuse Jason and other believers of treason as well. The charges of treason stem from the proclamation of Jesus as a heavenly king and therefore no competition for Caesar. But the Jews always exist in an uneasy relationship with the Romans, for the Romans demand their Caesars should be venerated as gods while the Jews claim to worship the One True Living God and not Caesar. By bringing these accusations, the Jews hope to solidify their position in the community as upright citizens supporting the Roman rulers. Jason and other believers have no choice but to send Paul and Silas elsewhere.
Paul and Silas in Berea
10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.
Things are going well in Berea. Paul preaches in the synagogue, and people listen eagerly, searching the Scriptures and realizing that Paul is speaking God’s truth. But Jewish religious leaders from Thessalonica hear about Paul’s success in Berea and rush there to try to incite riots just as they have in their own town. Believers escort Paul all the way to Athens while Silas and Timothy quietly remain, teaching the new believers and encouraging the fledgling church.
Although we would like to think otherwise, the preaching of the Gospel remains scandalous to many people, and they will do everything possible to silence or even kill the preachers. Why should these people feel threatened? What is wrong with the Gospel?
The essence of the Gospel is that God has sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live as a man and die as a perfect blood sacrifice for our sins. Anyone believing in what Jesus has done and trusting in that sacrifice for salvation will receive the gift of eternal life. Paul is preaching to idolators, many of whom are thrilled to learn that they don’t have to keep slaughtering animals in propitiation for their sins. But some Jewish religious leaders are scandalized. For centuries, the Jews have claimed to be waiting for the Messiah. If Paul’s preaching is true, Messiah has come and his own people have rejected him. In addition, if Messiah has come, then some of the most cherished Jewish practices are no longer necessary. Broad-minded men with gladsome spirits such as Gamaliel welcome this news while others, less broad-minded, can only think of this radical message as a threat to the very foundations of their lives and standing in the community. Anytime someone mistakes the form of religion for substance, such conflicts are inevitable. Ironically, these men who claim to be so law-abiding and righteous think nothing of employing troublemakers from the marketplace when necessary. Centuries later, Machiavelli will contend that the end justifies the means. These men are indulging in similar thinking.
Today throughout the world in Nigeria, India, China, Sudan, and even in U.K. and New York City, the Gospel remains scandalous. When men love darkness rather than light, they can ignore spiritual truth, preferring to eliminate the messengers by any means possible. But the life-changing message of God’s love for sinful men and women remains. The question for us is this: What will we do with the Gospel? Will we share it, even at the peril of our lives? Or will we soft-pedal, hoping that somehow if we are simply good people, that will be sufficient? May God help us to remain steadfast, sharing His Good News compassionately but truthfully.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to share the Gospel wherever and whenever we can. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment