ESOCS Devotional 7 August 2026 – Jesus is Christ
MEMORY VERSE: Acts 17:3“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”
TEXT: Acts 17:1-16
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” 8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.
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Truly Christ suffered death on the cross, was buried but to the glory of God resurrected and now sits in glory as the King of kings and Lord of lords. This truth is believed by all those who have accepted God’s word and love through Jesus Christ.
The world does not agree with it but we agree that it is so and give testimonies of it. Even though we did not witness the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, but by faith we have learnt that truly God’s word is true.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives makes the difference. We receive power, we feel and exercise power as the Holy Spirit gives us. In Ephesians 4:11 we read that through the Spirit, he gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
The essence of these gifts is to tell the world that Jesus is the Christ. The early apostles and church preached it after they received the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8). We have a duty to follow that same step.
Of course, nobody can preach Jesus as Messiah successfully without the power of the Spirit of God. With the Spirit guiding you, you will take the gospel message as a task and as a guide. In verse 2 of our text it is written of Paul “And Paul as his manner was for three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” He made some good success as some of them believed including devout Greek men and many Chief women (Acts 17:4). Paul also had problems because of the envy of those who enjoyed the result of ungodliness. (Acts 17:5-10).
Truly, problems of persecution, hatred and attacks do not deter true messengers of God. The gospel message goes on in spite of all odds. Paul and Silas left Thessalonica because of the trouble of unbelievers but got to Berea and continued the gospel message. Nothing could deter them.
We are all therefore, called upon to get focussed in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. We shall continue to prevail against all odds and surely, the crown of glory awaits us.
Question
How do you react when you face challenges in the service of God?
Prayer
That I may know you better and serve you to the end, Oh LORD in Jesus name, Amen.
Further Reading: Jer. 18:1-17, I kings 12:1-20, John 14:13-end
ESOCS Devotional 7 August 2026
