March 10, 2020
Acts 17:5-9
But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”  When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.  Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.
New International Version (NIV)
                What is the price of faithfulness?  I know salvation is free, but what does it cost to be a disciple of Jesus?  We find different answers in different places.  In Thessalonica the cost of discipleship was high.  Jason could testify.

                As Paul and his companions came to the city of Thessalonica, he did what he always did.  He went to synagogue on the Sabbath.  This was always his first strategy:  go to the Jews who have a common spiritual language and tell them their Messiah has come.  This often met with mixed results.  Some Jews believed as did a great group of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.  Immediately the new church in Thessalonica was diverse.

                Not everyone took kindly to Paul.  A mob formed and caused a riot.  When they couldn’t find Paul they found Jason and dragged him to the city authorities.  This does not sound pleasant for Jason.  Then the jealous crowd ranted and raged about Paul and what a troublemaker he was.  But why arrest Jason and make him post bond?  What was his crime?  He welcomed Paul into his house. 

                God bless our Tallowood Spark homes for hosting students recently on our discipleship weekend.  Hospitality was a big deal in the ancient world. In the absence of Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton, missionaries needed a place to stay.  Motel 6 did not leave the light on for you.  But Jason did.  He opened his heart to Jesus and his home to the guest in his gate.  For doing so he was dragged to the authorities and forced to pay a bond to be set free.  No matter.  Jason was always free, throughout the whole ordeal, because Jesus had paid the price.  The price of faithfulness for Jason was hospitality to the people of God.  He paid it willingly.  It cost him dearly.  How did he feel about this?  We can ask him in heaven.
Pray with me:       
Father, thank you for making room for us in your family.  Help us to extend hospitality to others.  May our hospitality transform the hostility of those who think we are their enemies.  May your love win the day, the same way it did when Jesus paid the price of faithfulness on the cross.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.    
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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