Thursday Faith Thought

Acts 17:5-8

But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 

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 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. 

They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”  When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”  John 18:36

In today’s Scripture passage, the Jews in Thessalonica jealously guarded their understanding of the law. They created a riot by accusing Jesus’ followers of upsetting the world order by saying that there is another king, Jesus. 

Jesus’ message does upend the world’s order, not by claiming earthly territories but by addressing the underlying human condition and overthrowing the forces of evil that hold us captive. Jesus faced the same accusation of sedition and replied, “My kingdom is not of this world,” (John 18:36). 

Following Jesus requires a radical paradigm shift and not everyone was or is for it. And yet the Disciples and Paul knew this shift was worth everything even their own lives. 

Every time we share the Gospel. Every time we live out an example of Jesus’ love, every time we make a sacrifice we are making a Kingdom impact. 

God Bless Pastor Michael Thurlow