Unstoppable! 'Jesus Is the Messiah' — Acts 17:1-3

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was Paul's custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, "This Jesus I'm telling you about is the Messiah."

— Acts 17:1-3 NLT

Key Thought

As we have repeatedly seen, the early missionaries - whether Barnabas or Paul - began their work in the synagogues, reasoning with the faithful "children of Abraham." This was Paul's "custom" and a principle he emphasized (Romans 1:16-17). Luke told us a little more about this approach in Thessalonica: Paul went to the synagogue three consecutive Sabbaths. As a recognized rabbi, he was invited to teach. He used the Old Testament prophecies to show how Jesus fulfilled what the prophets had promised, undoubtedly referring especially to Isaiah's Servant of the Lord songs* about the Messiah's passion. Paul made clear that Jesus was this prophesied Messiah!

* See the Related Scripture Readings for both Paul's visiting the synagogues and the Servant of the Lord songs in Isaiah.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, I am saddened to think that our sin and the rejection of your Son led to Jesus needing to fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah you sent as the Servant of the Lord. Thank you, Jesus, for stepping into this role while knowing what it meant for you. Strengthen my courage so that I am willing to suffer to share the Father's grace if I am called on to do so. I ask for this help in your name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

In the Center of My Will
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Follower of the Way, The growth of My Kingdom will not necessarily be an easy undertaking. Spreading the good news of the Father's grace is..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 17:1-3 NLT — Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was Paul's custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, "This Jesus I'm telling you about is the Messiah."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, August 27, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Jeremiah 17:14
""I have seen his ways, and will heal him."- Isaiah 57:18 It is the sole prerogative of God to remove spiritual disease. Natural disease may be..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Limited Opportunities' (Jn. 12:34-36)
"[When Jesus referred to his crucifixion, the] crowd responded, "We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Hebrews 12:1
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Holy Spirit Transportation' (Ek. 11:1)
"Then the Spirit lifted me [Ezekiel] and brought me to the east gateway of the Lord's Temple, where I saw twenty-five prominent men of the city. Among them were...."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!