The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (NT)

Acts 17:10-15

¹⁰ The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. ¹¹ Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ¹² Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. ¹³ But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴ Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. ¹⁵ Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

What make a Jew more noble than another? It seems like it is whether they are open to the Gospel or not. But it could be that nobility is found in searching the scripture. Often times we will blindly believe someone when they say it says that in the Bible. There are other times when we search the scripture to find the answer.

Do you blindly believe all that God has done for you? When your Pastor or teacher tells you something about the Bible do you ever look it up for yourself? Do trust that your Pastor has looked it up himself? Many times I will admit that I work from memory and my memory can fail me.

This is why I have several bibles on my shelf, so when necessary I can look things up, and find out if my memory is correct. St Paul calls these Jews more noble because they do search the scriptures. They look to see for themselves whether the evidence is being manipulated.

We can hear the promise of Salvation throughout the Old Testament. It was necessary that Christ the Immanuel should take on flesh and tabernacle with his people. It was necessary for Jesus to be crucified and Barabbas to be released. It was even necessary that Jesus rise physically from the dead on the third day. Jesus fulfills the Law and the prophets, for your forgiveness.