February 4, 2012

Acts 17:1-15 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 11:20-30, Psalm 26, Exodus 7-9

Journal Entry

Scripture

10 The brothers [1] immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Observation

Paul came to Thessalonica, where his relative Jason lived. The first thing he does is to go to the synagogue to tell the Jews of the good news of Jesus. That Jesus was their Messiah who came, suffered and died but was resurrected. Only some of the Jews were persuaded to believe in Jesus but a great number of the Gentiles believed. Doesn't the story of the jealous Jews and their method of trying to get rid of Paul sound familiar? Didn't the Jewish leaders of Jesus' time do the same to Jesus? Getting low lives to give false testimony and accuse Jesus of insurrection against Caesar? The Jews were given the first priority to believe but their “religiosity” prevented them from seeing the truth.
These unbelieving Jews were not satisfied when they couldn't arrest Paul and Silas in their own city, they went to Berea to cause trouble for Paul. But, the Berean Jews were different than the Thessalonian Jews. They whole heartedly believed in the good news that Paul preached. Not only did they enthusiastically listen to Paul's message but they read the Scriptures for themselves to make sure what Paul said was true to God's Word. And through this daily personal study of the Scriptures, their faith became strong.

Application

I would like to be like the Berean believers, not only enthusiastically learn from pastors/ preachers/teachers but read and meditate on the Bible DAILY for myself so that God would teach me His truth directly from His Word. And my faith would be well grounded and not be diverted from God's Truth as were the Jews of Jesus' time and Paul's time. For them, their religion was more important than what God clearly told them through their Scriptures. I would hope that I don't get so caught up with busy "doing" that I miss the mark, that is Christ Himself.

Prayer

Lord, help me to set my priorities straight and make time to read your Word daily as the Bereans did. And as I read and meditate on Your Word, please reveal your Truth to me clearly that I would not be led astray and sin against You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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