In the biblical book of Acts, there is a brief mention of an obscure small town that became famous for the very best of reasons. Acts 17:11 reads, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” It’s a very short reference, but it says a lot about the quality of citizens in that small town. They were a people of “noble character” who critically engaged the content of what they were hearing and evaluated it in light of the Scriptures to discover the truth.
Berea is placed in sharp contrast with another first-century municipality, Thessalonica, which is mentioned a few verses earlier. Acts 17:5 tells us that under the guidance of jealous, religious leaders they “formed a mob and started a riot in the city.” They rejected the truth of the gospel and instead opted to align themselves with the message of the mob. At issue was a question of utmost importance: Who is Lord? Where do we find truth? The empire pointed to Caesar as Lord and public opinion and policy as authoritative truth. Paul and Barnabas proclaimed Jesus as Lord and the good news of the gospel as authoritative truth.
What will hold ultimate sway over our hearts and minds, our attitudes and actions? Will it be popular opinion and the cries of the crowd? Or, will it be the truth of Scripture and the grace of the gospel?
We find ourselves approximately 2000 years removed from the genesis of this debate, but the battle continues. What we must ask ourselves, as followers of Jesus and citizens of kingdoms that often stand in conflict with one another, is how will we respond to the conflicting messages that manifest in our time? What will determine what is true and right? What will hold ultimate sway over our hearts and minds, our attitudes and actions? Will it be popular opinion and the cries of the crowd? Or, will it be the truth of Scripture and the grace of the gospel?
While it is true that the two do not always stand in conflict with one another, only one can stand as the ultimate authority for our lives. As Jesus warned in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” In truth, the verse could simply end with “You cannot serve both God and _______.” We could place any number of authorities in that space and the point remains the same; It is impossible to hold multiple authorities in the place of first importance. One will ultimately be forced to bow to the other.
Our first response to the news of the day and the cries of the crowd should be to turn to Scripture in an effort to seek the wisdom of the Lord and to align our attitudes, actions, and responses with the authoritative truth of God’s Word.
There is no shortage of public opinions or clamoring crowds calling for our attention these days. Modern media, including your news outlet of choice and social networks, all thrive on drama and the mob mentality that so easily draws us in. We live in an age that prioritizes my truth, your truth, and our truth over THE TRUTH. It is all too easy to read the headlines, hear the latest reports, and jump on the crazy train to Riotsville. This results in us shouting over one another in efforts to sway public opinion and influence public policy in the interest of self-preservation. But often, the wisdom of the crowd is not wisdom at all, it is simply hysteria. And, it is rarely concerned with what is objectively true.
We need more Bereans in the world today; We need to be Bereans. Our first response to the news of the day and the cries of the crowd should be to turn to Scripture in an effort to seek the wisdom of the Lord and to align our attitudes, actions, and responses with the authoritative truth of God’s Word. It is through searching God’s Word and adjusting our opinions and actions based upon the truth of the gospel that we will be people “of more noble character,” people who seek, share, and celebrate the truth.
If Jesus is truly our Lord, His Word should guide our lives, even when it doesn’t align with public opinion or personal preference.
In the midst of the clamor of the crowds that so often confronts us, may we calm our hearts, “be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” May we search the truth of God’s Word and adjust our lives accordingly. When the world looks at us, can they differentiate us from the mob? Do they see the difference that comes through faith in Jesus and aligning opinions, attitudes, actions with the truth of God’s Word? If Jesus is truly our Lord, His Word should guide our lives, even when it doesn’t align with public opinion or personal preference.
As always, nicely done, Jeremy! That will preach…and it should be peached! Thank you for the ministry God has entrusted you that blesses so many!