Turning the World Upside Down

I hope you are on a mobile device so you don't have to turn your monitor upside down, but when I saw this, I couldn't help to think of one specific scripture:

These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6b KJV)

Let's back up a few verses.  In Acts 17, we find Paul and Silas (if you don't know who they are, you need to read all the book of Acts up to this point, please) have arrived in Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews. It was their habit to visit Jews to discuss how their Messiah had been born, taught, died, and was resurrected. Often they were not well received.  That still happens today when people with to share the life of Christ as Paul did:

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 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. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. (Acts 17:2-5 KJV)

For three weeks - or at least two weeks to cover three sabbath days - Paul preached to them that Jesus is Christ - simply the Greek word for the Jewish Messiah. Paul was very open about what he had seen and heard. For those Jews who knew of Jesus' ministry, certainly they also knew of Paul's battle against Jesus' followers. Yet, Paul had seen this risen Christ and opted to follow him instead of battling him.

Jesus had changed him from Saul to Paul - and in doing so had turned his life upside down. His was not the only person to have that same response. Thus, the Thessalonicans headed to Jason's house, complaining to authorities:

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. (Acts 17:6-8 KJV)

Now, have you heard Paul's testimony? Acts chapters 24-26 give the story of how he gave his testimony as to why he now followed Christ, instead of persecuting His followers. Yes, I could copy a few verses, but it would be better if you read those three chapters in context to better understand. And, my reason for writing this is to get you to read scriptures, but I will add this one additional piece of chapter 17.

After the confrontation at Jason's home, and the complaints of the crowd that these Christians had turned the world upside down, Paul and Silas went to Berea. There the people did exactly what I wish you would right now:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)

Can you be more noble that those who complain that their world was turned upside down? Can you allow yourself to search the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said were so? Does the Bible leave you with questions, but you continue your life as usual - or does the Bible speak to you, and you find your life changing enough that you feel upside down?

The half has not yet been told.