Scripture: Acts 17:1-3
After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.”
Thought for the Day: I find it interesting how our passage says Paul argued from scripture, “explaining and proving” how the Messiah was to suffer and rise from the dead. In all my ministry, I don’t think I have ever proven anything, though let me add, I don’t believe I was called into ministry to prove anything. In the context of the early church, it is understandable why we might think it necessary to demonstrate the ideas of faith beyond a doubt, but is that really our calling. In the original Greek, the word we translate as prove is paratithemi, and quite often it is used to describe the placing of food on a table. The connection between those two definitions is a bit of a stretch, but people much smarter than I claim it to be so. At the same time, I wonder if what Paul did was not so much prove but to present a convincing invitation to come and feast. In the end, is the Christian witness really about proving what ultimately could never be proven or is it about offering the sustenance of life and giving others the opportunity to set alongside us at the feast?
Prayer: Continue to encourage me, O God, so my life may exhibit a persuasive request for others to come and experience the fullness of life which is you. Amen.
DON’T FORGET
This Sunday
Elders meet at 5pm
General Board meets at 6:30pm
