Acts 17:10-11 (ESV) – 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.

I remember how eager I was to open Christmas presents as a kid. The buildup was almost unbearable. The gifts laid under the tree. Each gift differed in size, only leaving the imagination to run wild about what laid inside. When the green light was finally given to tear into them, the satisfaction of ripping open the paper and box to discover the contents inside was worth the wait.

Our passage today shows an eagerness to receive a gift too, but the gift wasn’t a present, but the Word of God. We read in 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.”

Paul and Silas go into the synagogue when they arrive in Berea. The description of the Bereans was that they received the word preached by Paul and Silas with eagerness. They were hungry for the Scriptures. They enjoyed being taught. But also notice that they examined the Scriptures to evaluate what Paul and Silas were saying.

What purpose did this examining of Scriptures play? It ensured that the Bereans only received what was true. They tested everything. As Paul brought the Word, they received it eagerly. But they also made sure it was in alignment with the truth of God’s Word. Christians need to desperately recover this practice. We have too many false teachers and misleading theologies propagated in churches. Christians should receive God’s Word with eagerness, but also examine what they hear against Scripture. This keeps us walking in the truth and maintains the integrity of the church. 

May God create in us an eagerness for His Word. Let us strive to learn and grow while testing what we hear and read against His unchanging Word. Lord, strengthen our churches like the people of Berea. 

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Reflection & Journal:
- Why is it important to notice that their posture toward receiving the word was eagerness?
- What role does evaluation and testing of teaching play in our growth? How does it protect us?
- How does this passage speak to you? 

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