Today’s Reading Acts 17
The Book of Acts is the periodical record of the apostles that chronicles the various journeys and adventures that they encountered. In this particular adventure Paul and Silas were traveling through several cities and territories that in are someway common and foreign to the travelers. The principle cities were Thessalonica and Athens. These two cities were very different from each other. We are familiar with both either from biblical or historical significance.
We are familiar with Thessalonica from the books of the bible. This is the city that Paul has written to on two separate accounts to the Church established there. The purpose of the letters were to assure and clarify for the early Christians that the second coming of the Messiah will happen, but there is not a particular set time and they must continue their faith journey in the midst of persecution and unrest in the city. In Chapter 17, the expectation of the travelers was that the people of Thessalonica would be open and receptive to the news of the gospel from their strong Jewish heritage and open and eager to advance their knowledge of Scripture and the fulfillment of the Scriptures. This however was the complete contrast at what happened. The Jewish people and the city officials began to persecute the travelers. They not only forced them from their city, but when they became aware of the continued travels of Paul and Silas they continued to pursue the group. The theme of similar people persecuting each other is continued even after Christ has come into the world.
The second place that is mention is Chapter 17 is Athens. This is one of the epicenters of higher and intellectual thoughts in the ancient world. Many of the known philosophers and thinkers that created logical understandings are found here: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle’s. This is the capital of Ancient Greece. This city is founded on the belief that the goddess Athena created the city. This is a city that has several gods and goddesses that rule them and they worship. Even in the chapter Paul refers to one of these
Acts 17:22-25 “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
To this city and people, Paul was hesitant and somewhat cautious to this unknown. This is a city whose existence is based on strong theology and dogma. This is an area that would create some anxiety to the unprepared, but Paul was prepared and courageous in his pursuit of proclaiming the gospel in the face of complete persecution, until death. In this city Paul not only create a new church, but was pursed to continue to give more information about the risen Christ.
It is interesting that the known is sometimes the place we would receive so much opposition, and the unknown is the place that God allows us to grow and flourish in proclaiming his goodness and grace.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for allowing us to be bold and courageous in all that we do in your name. Thank you for the protection in the places that are unknown and known. Allow us to listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance in the midst of friend and foe. And thank you for the guidance to stand firm in our beliefs no matter the circumstances: for sometimes were blessed by foes and cursed by friends. Thank you for your provision and protection. Amen