Acts 17:10-15 (NRSV)
10That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. 12Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. 14Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.
Observation: the Jewish families in Beroea receive the message about Jesus--a pretty huge shift--but only after examining the scriptures everyday "to see whether these things were so."
Application: It's hard to put myself in the place of the Jewish people of Beroea, many of whom were of high standing in the community, and say I would have readily accepted a brand new message about this Messiah from rural Nazareth. But I really appreciate their method: when in doubt, you go to God's Word, you read it, you talk about it, and you listen for God's guidance if a change is necessary. It's easy to articulate, but hard to actually live by that, and be open to a radical change. But if communities of faith can agree to keep gathering around the Word, God can help us with any big changes that come our way.
Prayer: God, open my eyes to read your Word, my ears to hear it from others, and my heart to internalise it, and act on it. Amen.
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