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“After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures … ‘This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.’ Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar.” –– Acts 17:1-2, 3b-5a
Some ruffians in the marketplaces … or as we might translate it today –– some 7th graders at the mall; or maybe, some parents on a soccer sideline. I remember some high school friends who went to see the classic gang movie, The Lords of Flatbush, and came out of the theatre all jacked up with adrenaline, itching for a rumble. They would become lawyers, engineers, Army colonels, and oil executives, yet, to this day they still refer to each other with character names from the movie (though Henry Winkler’s character name was changed from Butchy to, obviously, the Fonz). Perhaps, you too, strutted out of Rocky, Jason Bourne, Remember the Titans, or 300 all riled up and ready for action.
As a species, we humans are easily riled –– What do you mean it’s not a catch? Both feet were clearly in bounds! –– Yells the dude from the nosebleed section. I’m gonna give that ump a piece of my mind! –– Ma’am, it’s a T-ball game. How can you be sold out? I signed up online! –– Did you remember to push the submit button at the bottom? Emotionally charged is not typically the state of mind that leads to rational decisions or actions, much less thoughtful conversations. Politicians, preachers, provocateurs, and pretenders understand this, and if possessed with ulterior motives can manipulate a crowd with fear, rage, or offense, and then deftly push them down whatever path the provocateur prefers.
Paul and Silas are out doing what they do, talking about love and redemption. Their opponents, jealous of the positive response to this gospel of self-giving love revealed in Jesus, were quickly riled, and camped out at the Thessalonica Cinema, waiting for the crowd to come out from the matinee showing of Gladiator. Sure enough, they were able to recruit those ruffians in the marketplace, and turn all that testosterone into fury against those radical gospel miscreants spreading their dangerous ideas about love, mercy, reconciliation, and taking care of the least of these. Can’t let those ideas take root in their town, or the next town, either! “With the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar.”
Tis the season, that quadrennial election smearfest that turns us all into ruffians in the marketplace, short of reason, but riled and ready to amplify the loathing and the blame that are the opposite of the gospel of selfless love that Paul and Silas risked their lives to share. In such seasons nobody wins. However, Paul and Silas didn’t quit because love never ends. Against all the noise, let that be our guide.
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