Tuesday Thought -- May 27, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.” (Acts 17:11-12)

There was something very special about the Jewish people in Berea. When Paul came to this city in Macedonia, he went first to preach in the synagogue among the Jews. That was Paul’s custom when coming into a new city. And the Jews Paul found in Berea were of noble character. There are three qualities mentioned in these few verses that highlight the noble character of Berean Jews.

They received the message with great eagerness. These were people who were intent on hearing whatever it was that God wanted them to hear. They weren’t trapped in the traditions of their ancestors. They weren’t just Jews by family heritage. They were Jews by heart – people who sought after God. And when a fellow-Jew, as Paul was, brought a message that he said was from God, they were eager to hear what it was. They wanted to follow God – all of what He wanted of them and for them.

They examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true. They didn’t accept at face value Paul’s declaration that his message was from God. They wanted proof that it wasn’t just Paul’s message. They wanted assurance that it was God’s message. And they looked in the one place that they could trust – the Bible. They only had the Old Testament, but they looked at it carefully to be sure this Messiah that Paul was preaching matched what God said of the Messiah through the prophets.

Many of the Jews believed. They were not just academics examining interesting ideas. They were willing to change based on God’s message to them. They acted on what they heard.

An eagerness to hear whatever God wants to say. A careful examination to be sure the message really is from God. A willingness to change based on God’s message.

That’s nobility of character!

His, by Grace,

Steve