Receiving the Word with Wholeheart
Scripture Passage: Acts 17:1-17 (NASB)
17 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he visited them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a significant number of the leading women. 5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and they attacked the house of Jason and were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore, many of them believed, along with a significant number of prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brothers sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.
SUMMARY
Paul visits the Jews in Thessalonica for three sabbaths and explains the Gospel to them, some believe, while others become jealous of Paul and Silas and form a mob. Although they try to find Paul and SIlas, they cannot and instead find Jason and accuse him saying he has been hosting the disciples and declaring Jesus is King. Paul and Silas are sent to Berea where the people are more noble minded and are eager to receive the word and examine the scripture themselves. Eventually the Jews from Thessalonica find out that the God's word has also been spread in Berea and go there to stir up crowds against Paul and Silas again.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
The people in Thessalonica and Berea receive the Gospel very differently because of their mindsets. The Jews in Thessalonica act off of emotion, like jealousy and aim to create angry crowds against the disciples wherever they go. I think they must have been afraid of the new knowledge that people gain from the Gospel, that there is a better way to live life under God and that Jesus is the ultimate King, not Caesar. They are resistant to change and try and do everything in their power to stop the spread of the Gospel and God's word through Paul and SIlas going so far as to attack anyone associated with them, like Jason, the person who was hosting the disciples.
In comparison, the Jews in Berea are joyful to receive the word and hear of the Gospel. They are described as more "noble minded" and out of their eagerness for the word, they start to grow in knowledge themselves by reading the scripture and seeing whether what is received is true against it. I think because they paired receiving the word with learning for themselves from the Bible directly, they were able to internalize the Gospel and have true faith that led them to believe God's way was right. In comparison, the Thessalonicans didn't seem to take the time to investigate further into the word. They had to be persuaded by Paul giving them evidence and explanation from the Scriptures instead of having the internal desire to do so themselves like the people of Berea.
APPLICATION
After reading this passage, I realized the importance of staying in the word every day and examining it for myself to realize the truth of the Gospel. I often rely on others to tell me the scripture, especially YouTube sermons by various pastors that I follow. However, lately I have been depending on their sermons a lot in order to hear the word, instead of taking time to look into it myself. I decided for Lent that I would abstain from listening to youtube sermons, and read the word instead. Reading scripture is essential for me to grow in faith and internalize God's word for myself
Also, I realize how wonderful it is that the Gospel is so accessible to anyone through text and that I should also memorize some scripture so that I can be able to support the Gospel with God's word and hopefully that it will speak to their heart and produce faith through hearing.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the opportunity to learn about how to live in Christ each day in daily quiet time with you, through sermons and through fellow Christians. I pray I will spend this time of Lent really leaning into your word and going over Scripture instead of depending on listening to sermons. I pray that I will continue to make your word where I spend my time learning about you and growing my faith. Help me to also memorize more of your word so that I will be able to have scripture to spread the Gospel to others.
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