Paul and Silas have once again stepped on a hornet’s nest of their own in Thessalonica, causing no small amount of disruption within the city.
Acts 17:6-10; Philippians 2:9-11, Philippians 3:20-21
“What has happened in Alexandria, my lords, is now upon us here.” Jaden proclaims. “These are the Syrians who have stirred up trouble in Egypt, Asia, and most recently, Philippi. Now they have come here to Thessaloniki. They disregard the decrees of Emperor Claudius because they have sworn themselves to another King–King Jesus. These men in front of you have been deceived by the teachings of these false teachers that are nowhere to be found. I guess these Syrian cowards have skipped town at the first sign of trouble.”
A laugh echoes throughout the stoa.
“What’s even worse, my lords,” Jaden continues. “…is that these men before you have been so duped by these traveling salesmen that I’m afraid they will perpetuate the deception that has corrupted them.”
Surprised by these allegations, both politarchs look down at the two men still laying on the ground only inches away from their feet.
“You there.” One of the politarchs says abruptly. “On your feet, boys.”
Trickles of murmurings flow throughout the agitated crowd.
Feeling the ominous tension radiating from the unrecognizable and shadowy faces that surround them, Jason and Aeneus both stand to brush the dust off their garments. They turn to see hundreds of torchlights floating throughout the stoa shortly before hearing the accusing voice behind them.
“Well?” The politarch yells out, as he intently glares directly at Jason. “What do you have to say about these charges?”
“My lords,” Jason softly replies. “I don’t know anything about disregarding the decrees of Emperor Claudius.”
“So you don’t have allegiance to this other King…” The other politarch leads. “What was his name?”
Aeneus speaks up. “Jesus, my lord.”
The politarch nods in recognition. “Yes, this King Jesus. You claim no allegiance to him?”
Anticipating this question, Jason feels the lump grow in his throat. He tries to swallow hard, as he considers his answer.
“It’s a simple ‘yes or no’ question, son.” The politarch says with growing suspicion. “Caesar or Jesus?”
Jaden crosses his arms and gives a satisfied look over at Marcus who stands only a few feet away.
Searching for traction, Jason’s mind races at a furious pace. “What will happen if I deny my Lord and King?” He thinks. “Will I be denied before the Father?” Tuning out the waves of people just waiting to see him crash and burn, Jason briefly looks at Aeneus who encourages him to press on. In a moment of desperation, Jason prays, “Father…”
…
Stumbling upon a humble mud-walled residence, Timothy sizes it up to see if this might be the place. “This would be so much easier in daylight.” He mutters to himself. Passing by the makeshift kitchen in the front yard, he glances around to see if anyone might be watching and knocks on the door.
…
Escorted into the back of the home, Timothy thanks the homeowner when he sees both Paul and Silas rise up to greet him.
Noting the look on Timothy’s face, Paul nods and says, “It’s happened then.”
Timothy looks back at Paul in confirmation. “Yes.”
“What happened to you? Where is Jason and Dmitri now?” Silas asks.
“I don’t know.” Timothy says. “Dmitri might still be at the house. They roughed him up a little more, but not too badly.”
“And Jason?” Paul asks with a sigh.
“I don’t know.” Timothy responds. “Hundreds of men were waiting outside for Jason… well, they were waiting for you, but Jason was their consolation prize.”
“Were they injured? Are you injured?” Silas asks.
Timothy shakes his head and says, “I’m fine. Just shaken up a bit. But, I don’t know about the others.”
“Others?” Paul asks. “They got Jason… who else did they get?”
“Aeneus.” Timothy says. “They cleared everyone out of the house and went in to see if they could find you. Jason said you weren’t there, so they checked for themselves and found Dmitri seated up against the wall.”
Paul shakes his head in anger. “Tell me they didn’t…”
Timothy nods. “A little. Somebody pushed him over and others kicked him while he was on his side.”
Placing his hands in his face, Paul cries out. “Oh God, what have I brought upon that poor man?”
Seeing Paul break down, Silas steps in and asks. “Timothy, are you sure you don’t know where they are?”
“I don’t…” Timothy starts.
Silas interrupts: “Did the crowd drag the two off somewhere?”
Timothy nods. “Yes, but…”
“The stoa.” Silas says as he shakes Paul’s shoulders. “I’m guessing they are indicting Jason right now? Oh man, they might even give them the same treatment as we had in Philippi.”
Paul removes his hands from his tear infused face and repeats Silas’ words. “The Stoa. Of course!” He rushes to get up and heads to the front door.
“Wait,” Silas says. “What are you doing? We can’t go after them.”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing!” Paul replies. “I’m the one who placed them in this situation, and I will not stand idly by and let them take the fall.” He rushes to the door when out from nowhere, the homeowner steps in and blocks the door from opening.
Surprised by this move, Paul cries out. “Lucius, what are you doing?”
“I’m saving your life.” Lucius responds. “And the lives of the others here with you.”
“My life is nothing, Lucius.” A flustered Paul responds. “We all feel this way.”
“Yes,” Lucius responds. “But there is more at stake than your life, my friend. There is more at stake than the lives of your co-laborers here. Our mission is to keep you alive so that you can share our lord with others. If you step into this mess, you not only jeopardize your life. You jeopardize the work that’s already been done since you first arrived.”
“Lucius, we’ve got to do…” Paul interrupts.
“You already have.” Lucius says with a smile. “Do you think Jason wasn’t aware of what he was getting into by employing and housing you two? Do you really think that Jason didn’t weigh out the consequences for doing this? I assure you… he knew what he was getting himself into. The very fact that you’re here should be evidence enough that Jason had thought this through.”
Paul shrugs in concession and says, “Okay then. What now?”
“You’re serious?” Lucius asks with surprise. “You’re the teacher, aren’t you? We pray in this moment of greatest need.” He places his hands on Paul’s shoulders to quiet him down and says, “Father, you are the God who knows our most desperate needs, and you are able to help us through our most troublesome times.”
…
“Well? We’re waiting!” The politarch growls. He then leans in closely next to Jason’s ear and whispers. “This can end here and now. Just say Caesar is king and we’ll be done with this.”
Jason looks dead ahead. Not knowing what to say in this moment of sheer panic, he stays silent.
“Don’t you understand what we can do to you?” The politarch continues softly.
“Nothing that wasn’t handed to you by your authorities.” Jason responds.
The politarch smirks, satisfied that he finally has been given a response. “Who is this King Jesus that you’ve sworn complete obedience to? What could he possibly promise you that wouldn’t be destroyed by Rome?”
“My soul.” Jason quietly remarks.
Caught by surprise, the politarch looks Jason carefully in the eyes. “I didn’t quite get that.” He says.
“What will it profit a man should he gain the whole world and yet forfeit his own soul?” Jason recites. “My citizenship is in heaven, and I await my Savior, the King Jesus, who will transform this weak, mortal body into a glorious one like his own.”
The politarch squints and carefully studies the younger man in front of him.
“Using the same power that he will use when he takes full control of all things.” Jason finishes.
Fearing the loss of momentum, Jaden yells out. “Well, what is this man’s confession?”
“Yeah!!!” The mob yells out.
Paying little attention, the politarch nearest to Jason places up a hand to quiet the crowd. He draws closer once again to see Jason mouthing something. “Why don’t you share this with us, son?” He says.
Uncertain with what to say, Jason hesitates for a moment. A thought comes to mind. A recitation really–something he has been practicing after first hearing it from Paul. Finally, he looks up and stares in the face of the politarch in front of him. “Though he was God,” he says, “He chose not to hold onto his equality with God. Instead he gave up his divine privileges and took the humble position of a slave and was born a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in full obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a Roman cross.”
Confused by the recitation, the politarch shakes his head and takes a large breath, as if to speak.
Suddenly interrupting the man, Jason and Aeneus both speak out. “God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord over all.”
With a moment of realization, the politarch takes a step back and looks at the other. He then rolls his eyes and says, “That’s what this is all about?”
“What?” The other politarch responds.
“This is a spat between the Jews.” The first retorts. “This king is a spiritual king of some sort. He’s no threat to Caesar or Rome.”
The other politarch pauses to grasp the issue at hand. Thoughtfulness then turns to anger, as he looks over at Jaden and sees how he has inspired this civil unrest. He’s the one who has brought us out of our homes and wasted our time. Anger escalates into rage, as he marches over to Jaden and rips into him. “You’ve managed to work up this whole crowd into a frenzy and bring us out from our homes to settle a dispute that has no bearing on Rome? What should keep us right now from flogging you in front of this unruly mob?”
“And you!” The other politarch looks at Jason and says, “Don’t think you’re getting out of this so easily. You’ve now brought us into this religious cat fight, and you have exceeded our patience. This isn’t over, gentlemen. We will hear this when we’re better rested.”
Aeneus swallows hard, as he and Jason exchange a glance.
“Both of you.” The other politarch says. “We can do this in one of two ways. You can post bail right now and we’ll release you… or, you can take a few days to think about things in the pit. What would you prefer?”
“We’ll get a pledge to you, sir.” Jason and Aeneus cry out together.
…
“Lucius!” A voice calls out while the woman knocks quietly on the door.
Lucius lets the woman in. “Helena,” he says. “What’s happening?”
Paul and Silas emerge out from the corner of the dark room.
Helena smiles and says, “Lucius, they have been released.”
“Oh thank God!” Silas says aloud.
Paul nods in affirmation and asks. “What is to happen to them?”
“I know they will be put on trial before the authorities, but they’ve been allowed to go home for now.”
“That’s good news.” Lucius says.
Paul steps over to open the door when Lucius places a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him from going.
“You can’t go over there, Paul.” Lucius says. “Given the outcome of tonight, I suspect Jaden has been humiliated. I also suspect that you’re a marked man, and they will stop at nothing to eliminate you.”
“What?” Paul says. “I’ve got to make sure…”
“He’s right.” Helena follows. “You can’t ever go back there.”
Silas and Paul share a look and say, “What are we supposed to do then?”
“You need to get out of here.” Lucius says. “It’s as simple as that.”
“But,” Paul replies. “Where are we supposed to…” He trails off as he looks steadily into Lucius’ gaze.
Standing only inches away, Lucius stares into Paul’s eyes and slightly nods his head. He lets out a breath and mouths… “Berea.”
…
We’re going to stop here for today.
The indictment hearing takes a curious turn once the politarchs (the city officials) sense it to be an internal feud amongst the Jews. They had no idea there was a difference between Judaism and the emerging group of Christians. Furthermore, they didn’t care. Much like Pilate felt when Jesus was brought before him, the local city officials here in Thessalonica didn’t wish to rule on this because they didn’t consider it to be their problem.
When it came to religious issues, the Romans were not like the Greeks who insisted upon “Hellenizing” their conquered lands. Nope, the Romans were “live and let live… as long as you pay us tribute and don’t cause us trouble. Stay out of our way, show us the money, and we’ll respect your religious beliefs.” Now, I think it would be good to quickly point out that Rome was an economy based on slave labor and conquest. To be sure Rome had its finer points, but the finer things of Rome were to be enjoyed by a select few. The message of being reconciled with a fair and just God was very well received–especially among those lower caste folks. So, Rome would take a much greater interest in Christianity not long after Nero came into power.
So, when issues of a religious nature were brought to local officials, many shrugged it off as a “Jewish” problem and left it as such.
However, some ten years earlier (41AD), a rather intense issue arose between the Jewish and non-Jewish citizens in Alexandria. By this time, there was a salty history between the Greeks and the Jews in this city, so Rome was invited to “weigh in” on the matter after two Jewish envoys went to Rome to plead their case before Emperor Claudius himself.
So, what was going on here? Two Syrian Jews–most likely outspoken Christ followers from Antioch–came into Alexandria and began sharing Messiah to anyone who might listen, especially in the synagogues. This became a huge issue in a heavily populated Jewish area and set the city into quite a commotion. Some Greeks were elated at the idea of having access to God; Other Greeks weren’t so keen on the idea. Neither were many of the Jews. The idea that Messiah had come, died and raised from the dead was a tough pill for them to swallow, so they outright rejected the idea. But things were a bit more complicated here. Because there was bad blood between the Jews and the local Greeks here in the city, the Greeks thought that the Jews were inviting Syrian Jews to come to Alexandria and help them leverage their influence in that city.
All sides dug in their heels, and the city became divided in a hurry. The tension over such division escalated so much that things became violent between the two groups. The Jews wrote and even visited Emperor Claudius himself and asked for him to intervene. Claudius was not amused.
In a letter responding to this escalation of strife happening here in Alexandria, Emperor Claudius gave the city officials a pointed response to cease from hostilities:
The Jews, on the other hand, I bid for their part not to agitate for more than they have previously enjoyed, and never again to send two embassies, as though they lived in two separate cities—the like of which has never happened before. Moreover, they must not engage in contests for such posts as gymnasiarch or games director (That was to be enjoyed by non-Jews), but should rest content with what belongs to them by right and enjoy an abundance of all good things in a city which is not theirs. They must not bring in or invite Jews who sail in from Syria or Egypt; this is the sort of thing which will compel me to have my suspicions redoubled. Otherwise I will proceed against them with the utmost severity for fomenting a general plague which infests the whole world. If on both sides you are willing to desist from this behaviour and live in mutual consideration and neighbourliness, I for my part will show that long-standing friendly interest in your city with which my family has had close relations since my ancestors’ days.
The Jews arriving from Syria were not coming to Alexandria to strengthen the Jewish militia. Instead, they were likely Christ followers who were pairing up and going into new cities to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of Heaven and the New Covenant. The Jews were blamed by a segment of Greeks, and even Caesar himself, for welcoming these supposed mercenaries into the city. Naturally, the Jews were upset because they were being targeted for something they didn’t do. Sounds like a soap opera, right?
Similar to what happened in Alexandria, Emperor Claudius put a stop to the proselytization happening in Rome later around 49 AD. For a time, he restricted Jewish gatherings, but that didn’t work, so he placed much heavier restrictions around the Jews–so much so to cause many to flee the city altogether. Priscilla and Aquila were such people that fled and met up later with Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:2).
With Claudius’ edict against proselytization, Jaden’s case against Paul and Silas here in Thessalonica had some viability. But not every municipality took such a firm stance and shrugged off the concern altogether.
With this background, you can see how things are escalating here in Thessalonica.
Would this Jewish King be seen as a threat by the Romans? Kind of. Rome developed an interest because of the havoc being caused in their cities. These evangelists were coming into cities and dividing the synagogues by sharing messages some Jews didn’t like, while wooing other Jews and converted Jews to join in their ranks. If that wasn’t enough, the Greeks and other citizens had enough bad blood between them and the Jews, that they thought more Jewish people in their midst couldn’t be a good thing. So, the Romans stepped in and placed restrictions on Jewish activity in some of their cities… but not all.
Some of the Jews became vocal about the Christ followers being a threat against Rome. This was becoming a big issue and why Claudius regarded the unexpected Jewish evangelical movement (Christ followers) as a “plague” that would infest the world. If you want to know what would later motivate Emperor Nero to become so hostile towards the Christ followers, this was it. Christ followers were seen as a disruptive virus of sorts within the cities of Rome. Because Rome understandably didn’t make a distinction between Christ followers and traditional Jews, Rome held the Jews responsible for not being able to govern their own and would begin putting restrictions around them. There is much more to this than the Christ followers stirring up the hornet’s nest. The traditional Jews were by no means innocent in their dealings with Rome. Nevertheless, Rome would lump them all together and become more strategic about how to deal with this increasing Jewish problem.
The strategic and mission minded outspokenness about Messiah (Christ), especially within Jewish synagogues might appear to be divisive. The synagogues were disrupted which would then cause a string of retaliatory events that would impact the cities throughout Rome as a whole.
Left to this, we may regard Christ followers as little more than agitators with an axe to grind. That’s how Rome regarded them. It’s also how many traditional Jews regarded them. But, this assumes that Rome was minding its own business and trying to do right by everyone. The Christ followers were simply poking the hornet’s nest. Remember, Rome’s business model was to grow by conquest, tribute and slavery. If you had enough clout within Roman society and were born into the right family, then you would do well. If not… well, it wasn’t pretty. Rome wasn’t the land of opportunity for all. It was an oligarchy, where the very few would rule the world and personally benefit by doing so.
Now, as for the traditional Jews and why they didn’t care much for the movement of Christ followers, theirs was an entirely different reason.
So, imagine hearing about a righteous and purely good God who judges people based upon their actions and their underlying motivations–that this God would change the corrupt world as we know it and make things right. So, what happens when God puts the plan into action and begins to roll things out? That’s the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s the message of Jesus. God is laying the groundwork for His future Kingdom by changing the hearts of those Christ followers who will inhabit it. You guessed it… the existing players with much to lose would see this as a threat. They’ve worked too hard to let their investments slip between their fingers.
There’s much more to explore here, but hopefully this has given you a taste of the tension felt here in Thessalonica and in cities throughout the Roman Empire.
While I personally am not intending to be an agitator–that’s not my style, at all–it does mean that the message I convey is controversial. The message of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven is controversial. It always has been, and it will be until all humanity pledges itself before Christ.
Let me wrap up with the following two verses that Paul wrote to the fledgling church in Philippi:
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
— Philippians 2:9-11
And…
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
— Philippians 3:20-21
God will place Jesus as our forever King over all humanity upon his return. With the same power that will assert Jesus as our forever King, he will then change those who follow him into immortal beings just as he did with Jesus himself. Those are the promises that we Christ followers hold on to, no matter how difficult things become. As for the hornet’s nest… As long as there is corruption on the earth, those governments, many of whom mean well, will always be at odds with the message of the Kingdom.
May you hold on to the message of the Kingdom of Heaven, when God will make things right for those who are reconciled with Him. With that, let’s move forward… together.