April 25, 2023 – Tuesday
Acts 17:6-7 NIV
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.”
Comments
When we last left Paul and Silas they were in jail in Philippi and the jailer along with his household believed and were baptized. The next day (end of chapter 16) the magistrates discovered Paul and Silas were Roman citizens and asked them to leave. They were afraid as they had beaten Roman citizens without a trial. After visiting at Lydia’s house, they left.
From there they went to Thessalonica where some Jews, as well as a large number of God-fearing Greeks, came to believe Jesus was the Messiah and He had risen. But there were those who were bitterly opposed and with a mob, 5 They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. Paul and Silas were not there which brings us to our verses for today, 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.” Oddly enough what they were stating had some truth to it. Paul and Silas and others had gone to many places sharing the Gospel of the Risen Christ. The Good News had surely caused trouble in many places, but not the Good News itself. Instead, the trouble was always caused by those who hated the Good News. Also, Jason had welcomed them into his home as believers are wont to do especially for other believers.
We are led to believe nothing further happened because, 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. I think nothing else happened to Jason and the other accused believers because Paul and Silas were sent away to Berea by fellow believers. That’s about 45 miles away, likely 3 days travel time.
Bottom Line: What we saw happen in Thessalonica is happening in many places in the world right now for believers and for those who support people who teach and preach the Gospel, especially Jesus’ words from John 4:6, 6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. We must stand by the Gospel and Jesus’ words.
Prayer: Almighty God, What a wonder that You gave Your only begotten Son so that we, lowly creatures that we are, should have a path to be adopted into Your family through Him. Thank You. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek