Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Today we are in Veria which is a beautiful town that is bursting with Greek history, culture, and traditions. From the 11th to the 14th century, it was the third most important city of the Byzantine Empire, after Constantinople and Thessaloniki. The impressively large number of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches have given the city the nickname “Little Jerusalem”.
In Acts 17 we are told that Paul and Silas came here when they were pursued in Thessalonica – a distance of around 60 kilometres. Where we are, on the edge of the modern town, is St Paul’s Tribune, a grand outdoor marble and mosaic monument to Paul’s visit here. The square is where he is thought to have preached from. Back in those day this place was called Berea. Luke tells us what happen in Acts 17:10-15:
“As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 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. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible” (Acts 17:10-15 NIV).
For the short while that Paul and Silas were there, they received a warm reception from the Jews in the Synagogue. They were keenly interested in the study of the Old Testament Scriptures. In fact, they met daily to search the Scriptures to determine whether or not what Paul was saying was true. Through their searching many Jews and Greeks believed. One of the men who was converted was Sopater, who later assisted Paul (Act 20:4). No doubt from this group a church commenced.
Unfortunately, news of Paul’s teachings and the many new believers made a group of Jews come from Thessalonica and stir up trouble for Paul and the other here in Berea. The Berean believers immediately helped Paul to the coast where he went to Athens. Silas and Timothy stayed, probably to further encourage and disciple the new Christians here.
This group of Bereans Christians are held up as examples of how we ought to have that same zeal to study the scriptures togethers, even testing the messages we hear on YouTube and at churches. I am grateful for the various bible study groups that I have been a part of over the years. As iron sharpens iron so have I grown by learning from friends involved in such groups. As the older I get, may I continue to have the same dedication as the Bereans to learn.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father. Burn in me a desire to study Your Word with other believers and the wisdom to obey what I learn. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Moyes
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