Blessed Are The Troublemakers

August 22

(Acts 17:6 NIV) “But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here…”

(Acts 24:5-6 NIV) "We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect {6} and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him."

(Hebrews 10:32-35 NIV) "Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. {33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. {34} You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. {35} So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded."

The mob that rioted in Thessalonica resembled the mobs of today, blaming someone else for their bad behavior. They pointed to Paul and Silas, and accused them of making trouble all over the world. That’s quite a claim! Would anyone say that about you? Is your faith so active and far-reaching that you would be accused of making trouble all over the world? Would it surprise you to know that God will bless the right kind of troublemaker? Paul and Silas did nothing wrong. They simply preached the truth and challenged the status quo religion. They shared the love of God, delivered people from demons, and spoke of Christ’s death and resurrection wherever they went. Because of this, they were accused of causing trouble all over the world. If that’s the kind of trouble you cause in this world, Jesus would likely say, “Blessed are the troublemakers.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day