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In Berea:

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

 

Paul and Timothy had tried to bring the gospel message to the Jews in Thessalonica. A number of the Jews and many Greeks believed Paul’s message. However, others were not swayed and sought to have Paul arrested. He and Timothy were taken to Berea by those who did believe so that Paul could continue to preach the Good News.

 

Paul’s journey encountered many highs and lows. He must have felt that he failed in Thessalonica. The people in Berea greeted with open arms and hearts. His message was received and the people studied the scripture so that they truly learned that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Yet the bothersome Thessalonians followed Paul and again he was forced to leave Berea.

 

The message of the Gospel still finds difficulty in today’s world. Though not so much from religious reasoning, the message is still rejected by some. Our pastors spread the Good News to us and our communities. We try to live our lives so that others see the hope of the Gospel through us. Missionaries around the world spread the word today.

 

Dear Lord, guide us in our daily lives to be a messenger of your Good News. Give us hope when we may be discouraged. Amen

 

Barry Dougherty

barryd72@aol.com

 

Prayer concern - For those spreading the Good News through their lives

 

Additional readings - 1 Kings 18:1-16 and Psalm 85:8-13