Stroll through Scripture for April 21, 2024

Based on Acts 17:1–9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

The Narrative Lectionary jumps from Acts 3 all the way to Acts 17 and beginning of the spread of the church outside of Israel. In this week’s Lectionary, we are sent with Paul and Silas to Thessalonica. Thessalonica was an important and thriving city in the Roman Empire. It served as the capitol of the Roman province of Macedon, was an important port city along the Via Egnatia, was prosperous and had a cultural reputation. Over the centuries, many famous Romans would come to the city. In our readings today, we hear about Paul’s initial journey there, along with the opening of his letter to the church in Thessalonica.

In Acts, we hear that Paul and Silas come to the city and head to the synagogue. We are told that Paul engages in scriptural debate with the men of the synagogue over three Saturdays. It seems as though Paul was a good debater because several people were persuaded by him and his arguments. And this is where things start to change. Jealousy sets in. A mob is formed. Mob justice is about to ensue. Excuses are made for violence. Things are getting out of hand. Someone needs to pay! How many times in human history has this scene played out? There’s always a mob or posse rounded up to enforce order, restore the familiar status quo, and bring compliance on the whole. The only thing that changes are who the victims of the mob are.

One has to wonder if Paul intentionally went into the synagogue to stir up trouble. I think it’s important…