When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 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. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

I wonder what Jason was thinking about when Paul and Silas walked into town? He was probably busy thinking about his family, his career, his sports or hobbies, maybe his “honey-do” list — normal life stuff.

Now he clearly was someone who feared God, whether a Jew or Greek. And after he heard Paul preach and debate the synagogue leaders with such truth and power, his eyes opened up. His world paradigm had shifted. And he began to seek after God (through his belief in Jesus as the Messiah) in a totally new way.

He was kind and generous, and invited over those who had decided to follow Jesus to his house and hosted them. Little did he know this would cost him dearly. He paid for this by being fingered as a ring-leader.

First they searched for Paul and Silas, but could not find them. Jason and the new believers had hidden them away from harm. So the angry Jewish leaders dragged Jason into court.

I can imagine Jason thinking … I was just minding my own business when along came Paul and Silas and my whole life changed: some of my friends are now enemies, and my religion is now so much more — it is a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus!

Jason paid with not only having to post a bond to guarantee no further disruptions, but also he likely experienced some community persecution that hurt his income and relationships. But what he gained was so much greater in Jesus Christ!

Paul references this extreme joy here: “But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

Will I choose to follow Jesus no matter the earthly costs to me? Will I choose to do his work, though my life is at risk or my possessions are potentially confiscated as a result?

Lord, thank you for showing me through Jason that, though life can seem upended, you are the God of Upended Lives! I will follow Jesus, lead on!