First Responder

Acts 17:16-17 While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
 
WE recall violent men from Thessalonica had traveled to Berea to stop Paul’s preaching. Some Bereans took Paul to Athens to be safe. For some reason Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. Perhaps they could continue their evangelism in a less public method than Paul normally did. We thank God he has and does use many people in many ways to advance the gospel in families, neighborhoods and villages, even as people oppose Jesus’ good news.
   Athens was meant as a safe haven for Paul. He would perhaps find some rest while awaiting Silas’ and Timothy’s arrival. But Athens quickly became Paul’s next mission field.
   In the U.S. we call police, fire fighters and medics “First Responders” because they are the first to help people in distress. Paul is God’s First Responder in Athens. He quickly saw Athens was in spiritual distress. Beautiful art forms, architecture and a world-famous university gave Athens the reputation as a center of art and education. But many temples, statues and worship spaces glorified the man-made god images Satan had given to the depraved mind. What could a man of God do but help the blind to see and the deaf to hear? It was time for Jesus’ mind-transforming gospel to rescue Athens. They needed immediate help!
   Paul, the practiced First Responder did what he always did. He went to a synagogue. As we have seen in Philippi, there were some Roman communities where Jews were persecuted and even banned. In many cities and regions, though, the Jews were tolerated. Some were even encouraged and honored as good citizens. Their lawful lives and religious practices were seen as a model to good citizenship and productive life. Certainly the faithful Jews who attended synagogue spoke of Yahweh as Creator and law giver. They followed God’s commands to protect themselves from the idols. After all, idolatry had destroyed their ancestors’ land.   
   Thus Paul found Jews and God-fearing Greeks in the synagogue. Luke doesn’t tell us how these synagogue members responded. We can believe there was, as always, a mixed response to the gospel. Some would believe and rejoice! Others would reject and dismiss Jesus and Paul’s heart to help them.
   First Responders anticipate a call for help and are prepared to immediately act to save lives and protect people from further harm. This, dear Christian, we must have that “First Responder” mindset, too. We all know people who need help to be saved from eternal destruction. Let’s be prepared to act when the Spriit calls us.