Focus 2020 – The Great Commission: Perspectives from LeadersSample

World Upside Down 

Bible passage:  

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, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “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. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.” (Acts 17:1–7) 

Devotional: 

“These men who have been turning the world upside down have come here also... They are acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus” (Acts 17:6). 

Some translations of Acts 17:6 suggest that Christians “disturbed” or “caused trouble” in the world, as if they were a general nuisance. The better translation is that they were “turning the world upside down.” 

Acts 16–19 is the account of Christians entering pagan society for the first time. Luke makes plain how the gospel turned the world upside down by calling people to a radically different and novel way of life, with Jesus as Lord. When demonic forces, ungodly economic interests, and unrighteous political power resisted this message, the result was conflict. 

Christian discipleship is not a private matter, but one that brings faithful followers of Jesus into public conflict with the world and its powers. It’s not that Christians go looking for trouble. In every case in Acts where Christians are brought before Roman authorities for “causing an uproar,” no basis is found for the charges. As in Thessalonica, so also in Corinth, Ephesus and the rest of Acts, Christian disciples seek to respect culture, obey the laws, and live at peace with all people. In fact, God’s people are called to seek the flourishing of their societies! 

For the disciples in Acts, though, matters turned out just as they had for Jesus before Pilate. Though no basis is found for the charges that Christians are stirring up trouble, Paul and his co-workers often are beaten and jailed. Paul ends up as a prisoner in Rome and is finally executed. 

The core charge against the Christians was that they were not loyal to Caesar, “saying that there is another king named Jesus.” Though they did not pursue political power or Caesar’s throne or to break Roman laws, this charge rings true. 

In Mathew 28:18, at the start of the Great Commission calling us to “make disciples,” Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Our main task is to form disciples that live under this “authority,” under the rule of “another King named Jesus.” This is true even when it brings us into conflict with patterns of life that our culture assumes as normal and values as such. 

Our task is to be disciples and to make disciples that turn the world upside down wherever we go by our loyalty to Jesus and to his way. This is a way of peace. But when we face resistance, we follow our Lord to the cross, loving our enemies, praying for those who persecute us, forgiving as we have been forgiven. 

Quote: These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also. (Acts 17:6) 

Question: As disciples loyal to Jesus, where are we tempted to not live under the rule and authority of King Jesus? 

John Bernard 

CEO, United World Mission