Topsy Turvy life

Paul and Silas traveled through the district of Macedonia and came to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9). Here we see that Paul customarily went for the synagogue services and in this case for three services in a row. He spoke to them about the prophesies and sufferings of the Messiah and His rising from the dead. Is it not amazing that the Jews welcomed Paul and Silas into their synagogues to listen to their sermons. Paul must have been such a powerful speaker that everybody wanted to hear what he had to say.

His sermons were so authoritative that some Jews, godly Greek men, and important women of the city converted to Christianity. It is interesting that Paul went first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. In the process he formed a body of individuals of Jew and Gentile origin; rich and poor who became an active and vibrant church of Thessalonica.

The popularity of Paul and Silas made some of the Jewish leaders jealous. Were they angry that some Jews converted to Christianity or that Paul was speaking of Jesus as the Messiah? Were they jealous that Paul was drawing in Greek men and many prominent women into the Faith?

So they gathered a group of rowdies from the streets and attacked the home of Jason were Paul and Silas were residing. There are times when Christ is preached there is a chance for chaos and confusion to prevail. Here we see Jason a hidden gem of the faith,who entertained them as guests and by default was drawn into the dangers of being associated with the early Christian missionaries.

They had Jason and some other believers thrown in jail for treason against loyalty to Ceasar. Is it not ironic that as Christ hung on the cross Pilate had ordered that a notice be put stating this is the King of the Jews? Yet we must always remember that the path Christ chose was the path of suffering to enter into the Kingdom. Was not treason the same charge that Christ was sent to be crucified (John 19:12-16)? However Jason and the other believers posted bail and were set free.