Read Acts 17:1-15
Having left Philippi “quietly” the group traveled on to Thessalonica where there was Jewish synagogue. There was already a good size presence of Jews here, and Paul attended three Sabbath services. It doesn’t sound like he sat back quietly but instead was vocal about connecting the dots for the Jews. He wanted them to see how Jesus explained the prophecies.
Imagine attending church and hearing your Messiah had come! That would rock your world if you were a Jew awaiting the Messiah. I’m sure you have had “a-ha” moments when you’ve attended a church service. You know, those moments when the word of God came alive for you, or you felt like the preacher was speaking directly to you. In times like those, your faith can be strengthened, usually at just the right time.
We meet a new character here, Jason, who apparently had opened up his home to Paul and his traveling companions. As we have seen on other occasions, jealousy has taken over some Jews, and they’ve recruited some thugs to teach Paul and the others a lesson. Since they didn’t find them as expected at Jason’s house, Jason took the fall for them. Jason was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Jason and some other believers were dragged away to the officials because these upset Jews were threatened by Paul’s witness and the attention he was getting. I’ve been trying to equate such behavior into something we can relate. I think of demonstrations and riots for a cause or an injustice. We hear accounts of Christians being persecuted for their faith in different areas of the world, even more so today than ever before. It’s frightening.
Have you ever been assaulted for your faith? This could be physical or verbal. We carry the emotional scars. What’s important is that we don’t turn away. We need to pull closer to the heart of God. We will be stronger for it.
Paul and Silas did leave Thessalonica after this and traveled on to Berea. They were welcomed there, and the church continued to grow. Unfortunately, Paul’s stay was cut short when some troublemakers from Thessalonica followed him to Berea. Paul ended up in Athens while he waited for the others to join him.
Sometimes we have to face our opposition, and other times it’s best to avoid confrontation. Knowing the difference is sometimes the hardest part. As Paul did here, he relied on other believers to act and escort. Ask God for friends, angels, and protectors like that. Be ready to take the fall when it is inevitable.
This passage is a good reminder that we will face adversity in life. Just because we are Christ-followers does not mean our lives will be all sunshine and roses. Through adversity, we grow. C.S. Lewis says it well, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”
Let’s pray. Lord, I am feeling particularly lost today. Help me not to lose sight of you in the midst of my frustration. You have put me in this place, and I trust you will take away my feelings of inadequacy. Help me to recover and face this new day with confidence. I place my hope in you for that is the only place it should be. I am nothing without you leading me. Restore my passion as I prepare for the extraordinary destiny you have prepared for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.