Paul was one of the great travellers in the bible. Across 3 journeys he travelled at least 4500ks by foot and by sea. Whilst his route looks like a modern-day Mediterranean cruise….it wasn’t. Paul faced constant danger on many fronts but maintained his laser-focussed goal to spread the gospel, to share Gods message of the risen Jesus for all. Through it all he remained focussed on and driven by the risen Jesus’ words in Acts 1: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”In Thessalonica Paul spent 3 sabbaths in the synagogue explaining and reasoning, and he did enjoy some success. But some Jews became jealous of this and when they couldn’t find Paul, they rented a mob in the marketplace to start a riot, and they arrested his host, Jason. Meanwhile Paul’s supporters spirited him off to Berea under cover of darkness.Again, in Berea Paul taught in the synagogue and many believed. But not just through great teaching. The Bereans employed a study habit to examining scriptures daily and deeply to see if what was taught was true. This searching, examination, deep questioning and open mindedness to finding the truth is sometimes called “The Berean Way”.But again, jealous Jews got wind of the new Berean converts and travelled a great distance to cause more trouble in Berea, and Paul was again rescued by his supporters and sent to the coast and shipped to Athens.What truths do we learn from Thessalonica and Berea? Fortunately, we learn that some will receive the risen Jesus as the Messiah. However, we also learn that people can be threatened by that message, they can become jealous, take part in ugly behaviour, seek out scapegoats. Responses range from being fearful to being openly antagonistic and violent, continuing a pattern we have seen all through Acts. In Acts 4 Peter was opposed. In Acts 7 it was Stephen’s turn. In Acts 12 James was opposed, and now in Acts 17 Paul is opposed.As we finish Acts 17 Paul is now in Athens, the greatest university town in the known world, and there is a change in how Luke records and how Paul preaches. It makes sense. In verse 21 we read, “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking and listening to the latest ideas.” Here are a people who are at least more open to listening to new ideas, and they honour Paul by inviting him to speak at their highest council, the Areopagus. And now we hear orator Paul, the Paul we are more used to in his great letters to the Corinthians and the Ephesians. The Paul who can speak so beautifully and eloquently and intellectually and personally about God.Paul delivers Sunday’s reading, often called “the speech of the unknown God.” This is said to be a masterclass in communication, but it’s also a masterclass in the nature of God.As you prepare for next Sunday, I encourage you to read Acts 17.Blessings,Jenny Olver