The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 17:10-11

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:10-11

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 6: The Reasonableness of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "There is a widespread impression, especially among young people of a certain age, that Jesus is unreasonable, and that Christianity is a religion which constantly makes war on reason. Young men sometimes say, "I do not want to join the church because I want to use my reason." How strange such language when Jesus from first to last pleads for the use of the reason. Christianity is the one religion of the world which demands the continuous and daring exercise of the intellect. Men often think they are using their reason when in fact they are exercising their prejudices or are suffering from paralysis of the brain."
• "If men want to know whether Christianity is reasonable or not, why do they not read the Gospels? They are short and can be read through at least once a week, and yet men go right on refusing to read the Gospels — the one source of all authentic information as to what the Christian religion really is. Many think nothing of reading a novel of four hundred pages who stagger under the task of reading the four Gospels. It is just such persons who like to talk about the unreasonableness of Christianity. Why not be reasonable? Christianity has but one authoritative volume. Why not read it ?"
  
•  "In order to expose the folly of men, Jesus had the habit of asking questions."
• "His attitude from first to last is the attitude of God as pictured by Isaiah. He was always saying, 'Come, now, let us reason together.'" See Isaiah 1:18.
  
•  Jesus saw Old Testament ceremonial law as having "no reason....It was utterly formal and deadening and stupid."
•  Jesus says if you want to understand the Christian life, then work at it. If you desire to know the truth, then live it. This is common sense. How else could one find the truth of a religion if he did not work at it ? If you want to learn to speak Italian, you do not simply think about it, or read about it, but you go to work on it. It requires a deal of work, but no matter. You cannot learn a language without making mistakes, and the only thing to do is to keep on working. Just so is it with the Christian life. Men imagine they can become Christians by thinking about it, or by reading about it, or by hearing a preacher talk about it. How absurd! You can never become a Christian until you are willing to work at it. Are you willing to begin now?"
  

There are many a man who at first scorned (or at least dismissed) Christ and the Gospel, but upon further investigation repented and believed in Him.  Lee Strobel is one such figure, and he is one of countless others. Acts 17 describes the Bereans (not necessarily ardent skeptics) - a group of Jews who heard Paul and Silas share the Gospel on Paul's second missionary journey.  They eagerly studied what Paul and Silas shared to "test" the veracity of the Gospel.  God wants us to do the same and to use our power of reason - to test that our own experience of the Good News is what it says it is. For me, my experience is that the more I read and study God's Word, the more I am convicted all of it is not just reasonable, true, but  truly the Word of God and in the Word contains the power of God.  Read the Gospels and see for yourself!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is not just reasonable, but perfect - and in not just Your words, but in all of Your ways.  Thank You for Your Word and how it's Truth provides Power.  I am not deserving of how You speak to me and reveal Yourself and my sin to me.  I am also not deserving of the inexhaustible grace that You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.