From Philippi, Paul and Silas head to Thessalonica (agora to the left) where the same story unfolds.Sabbath, three weeks in a row. Explaining from Scripture the Story of Jesus:
"explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, saying, "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ."
Paul's gospel is the Story of Jesus as the one who lived, suffered and died -- and that is the Jewish/Israelite Story of the Messiah. Positive responders: some Jews, some God-fearing Greek (Gentiles), and some prominent women.
Again, the gospel generates heat and some Jews were opposed; they got a riot going. A most important feature is how the opponents perceive Paul's message, and they perceive it as anti-imperial: "These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too, and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting against Caesar's decrees, saying there is another king named Jesus!"
Jason was released ...
Gospel missional work is to declare Jesus as Messiah and Lord, and that means Lord over all, including Caesar. Missional work requires the courage that is empowered by God's Spirit.
17:1 After they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 17:2 Paul went to the Jews in the synagogue, as he customarily did, and on three Sabbath days he addressed them from the scriptures, 17:3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, saying, "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." 17:4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large group of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. 17:5 But the Jews became jealous, and gathering together some worthless men from the rabble in the marketplace, they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. They attacked Jason's house, trying to find Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly. 17:6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, screaming, "These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too, 17:7 and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting against Caesar's decrees, saying there is another king named Jesus!" 17:8 They caused confusion among the crowd and the city officials who heard these things. 17:9 After the city officials had received bail from Jason and the others, they released them.
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The critics of the early Christians had it exactly right. "They are all acting against Caesar's decrees, saying there is another king named Jesus! (Acts 17:7)"
"Long live Christ the King!"
Yes, and it is all about this other King in every culture of the world. It is not about Christianity, but Jesus. He is the pre-eminent one! Also, we are learning the example of Paul, Silas and Timothy: They introduced Jesus to the people and left soon after to allow the genuine response to Jesus take hold. I'm afraid today we stick around far too long and make them in other cultures look and sound just like us. Jesus wants to be uniquely expressed in every heart and community!
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