It Will Cost You

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." — Acts 17:6-7

The church in Thessalonica was only three weeks old. Paul had spent three Sabbaths in the synagogue proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. Some Jews were persuaded. A large number of Greeks joined them. Even prominent women believed.
But other Jews were jealous. They rounded up bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot.

Because Paul had been staying at Jason's house, they targeted Jason. They ripped Jason out of his home. Jason had invested time in taking care of Paul and Silas, and now they were gone on another mission trip.

Now Jason was there with other believers. They pulled Jason's group out and they became the focus of the mob. Scripture tells us this threw the city into an uproar. They arrested Jason and the other believers and made them post a bond.

This Scripture doesn't say they beat them, but it certainly cost them. What does this teach us? Hang around with preachers and it will cost you.

Seriously, the power of this church was not because Paul was there. It was because they were focused on Jesus. This church was only three weeks old, and now their founder was gone.

Here's what you need to understand: Where there is persecution, the church explodes. The greater the persecution, the more God blesses the church. When you go through difficult times, your faith will cause you to go deeper in Him.

Jason paid a price for his association with Christ. He opened his home. He invested in the kingdom. And when the heat came, he didn't run. He stood firm.

Following Jesus costs something. It might cost you relationships. It might cost you opportunities. It might cost you comfort. It might cost you your reputation.

But persecution reveals who's real and who's not. It separates the committed from the curious. And it always strengthens the church.

Are you willing to pay the cost? Are you willing to stand with Christ even when it's inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unpopular?

Jason was. And because of people like him, the church keeps growing.