Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, May 3, 2020
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: We can participate in the building of a healthy church community.
Building a church is not an easy business; not in Paul’s time, and not today. By the time Paul was preaching the gospel, the word had spread throughout Israel. But Paul was bringing the word beyond the borders of God’s country. Thessalonica was a city in Greece, the Roman capital in the kingdom of Macedon. It was along the trade route to the east, so there were many opportunities to bring Jesus’ message to people who could take the word far. There was a Jewish synagogue in the city, and Paul started there.
Many Jews heard Paul’s words and joined their cause. But Paul also reached devout Greeks and women (not the Jews’ usual favorites). The conversions upset the Jews, so they stirred up a mob. When they couldn’t find Paul and Silas, they instead arrested one of their supporters, Jason, and held him until he posted bail.
Often people speaking the truth upset others. People are creatures of habit—we like things to stay the same. When a voice is heard that threatens our status quo, our feathers get ruffled. Voices in the church are no exception. It can be hard to listen to a voice that speaks a truth opposite our own truth. In the world, the struggle can look like political battles played out onscreen and online. In the church, it can look like debates at council, arguments in the parking lot, people who stop attending worship because they’re hurt or upset.
Hurt feelings didn’t stop Paul and Silas from proclaiming their truth. Can we, the church, see past our own hurt feelings and open ourselves to the truths of others?
How can we build the church without jealousy, anger, or resentment?
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