Now when they 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 he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” (Acts 17:1-3)
If something is necessary, it’s absolutely needed. It may not be pleasant; in fact, it very well may be painful. But sometimes, in order to grow, or do what’s best for others, or realize the greatest good, we must do what is “necessary.”
In Thessalonica, Paul met with Jews over the course of three weeks, reasoning with them from the Scriptures in an effort to explain and prove “that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead.” Parents realize the “necessity” of taking their children to the doctor’s office, even if those children are scared. We understand the “necessity” of subjecting ourselves to dental appointments, even if we find them unpleasant. We grasp the “necessity” of paying our bills and our taxes, even if we would rather spend our money on something else.
Do we realize how “necessary” it was for Jesus to suffer on our behalf?
- He was born to die so that I could be born to new life
- He suffered temptation so that you can experience victory over the pitfalls of your past
- He was betrayed so that I might experience perfect faithfulness
- He was bound so that you could be set free
- He stood trial alone so that I might have an Advocate
- He was wounded so that you might be healed
- He endured mockery so that I could know the peace that surpasses all understanding
- He was condemned to death so that you might enjoy life eternal
- He was raised from the dead so that we all could know what the future holds
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
Thank God our Savior was willing to do what “was necessary” at such tremendous cost to himself.