Saturday 9 May, 2020

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. 5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

Paul and Silas had made their way to Thessalonica and were preaching the good news of Jesus. Amongst the listeners, were God fearing Jews. Paul reasoned and explained and proved that Jesus was the Messiah that they had been waiting for. Some believed but some were jealous. Those that were jealous struggled to accept the revelations that Paul was teaching them so they stirred up trouble.

It’s amazing to me that this message of salvation, that carries hope, love, peace and grace, can also stir unease and unrest in people. When someone shares a new, fresh, deeper revelation of God to me, I wonder how much convincing and explaining I need to have before I receive it?

Father God, may I have an open heart to receive deeper truths about you. Continue to teach me more about who you are.

Written by Gab Martin