June 08, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Jealous Riot
Scripture: Acts 17:1-9(NIV)
1 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.
Devotional
When we last left the chronological narrative in the book of Acts, Paul and Silas were being released from a jail in Philippi. They traveled southwest along the Greek peninsula about 100 miles to the city of Thessalonica, one of the most important cities in the Roman province of Macedonia. Thessalonica was home to many people of wealth, influence, and prominence, making it a perfect place for Paul to take the gospel. The farther he got from home, the more Greek the culture.
Still, there were large numbers of Jews living all over the Roman Empire. So, as usual, Paul spent his initial time in the Jewish synagogue among his fellow Hebrews, proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. And, as usual, he received a mixed response. As verses 4-5 state, “Some of the Jews were persuaded… but other Jews were jealous.” Too often Christians hold back from sharing the gospel and their own personal faith with others simply because not everyone will receive it well. How is the Lord leading you to be more expressive with your faith?
Apparently Paul’s reputation preceded him. Though this was the farthest that he and his companions had traveled to that point, the detractors said, “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here.” It is interesting that the Jews and the riotous mob appealed to the Romans in their accusations against the Christians saying, “They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
There is another king, one called Jesus. They were right. Actually, there is only one true king, one called Jesus! This year-long study of Acts and the Epistles is called “Be on Mission.” But it could also be called “Jesus is Lord” or “Jesus is King.” To be on mission is to truly embrace the truth that there is only one true Lord and King in your life. Jesus calls us to follow Him, and we do. The temptation is to go our own way, to do life as we please, or to follow where the culture is leading. But true disciples of Jesus follow Him only.
In what ways is the message of the Jesus and the Bible different from the message of current culture? What aspects of your life are out of alignment with the Gospel? What changes do you need to make?
Poem
Reason, Explain, Prove, Persuade
How is a new disciple made?
Reason, explain, prove, persuade
Sit down with one and have a chat
Converse and hear their doubts
Open the scriptures to their minds
Bring REASON to their house
May Wisdom from God’s Word be heard
Addressing all the questions
Open their eyes, unstop their ears
To see, hear, God’s instruction
How is a new disciple made?
Reason, explain, prove, persuade
Allow the thoughts to steep awhile
God’s meaning, God’s intention
Some teachings milk, some steak to chew
EXPLAIN God’s vast dimensions
May Wisdom from God’s word sink deep
In good soil rich and crumbly
Some plant, some water, God gives growth
As insight comes full, humbly
How is a new disciple made?
Reason, explain, prove, persuade
Return to conversations deep
Add stone to firm foundation
You labor now as strong faith grows
You PROVE, you test, formation
May Wisdom set the stones in place
As faith meets doubt with chisel
With praxis, discipline, the Way
An exercise of muscle
How is a new disciple made?
Reason, explain, prove, persuade
Now set them free to work it out
Obed’ent to the Master
As God is working full in them
PERSUADE, despite disaster
May Wisdom trim wick bearing light
Full flame, oil, their provision
As they now carry torch abroad
As they now be on mission
