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Jesus - Coming SoonJanuary 28, 20091 Thessalonians 5:1-11 5Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3When they say, ‘There is peace and security', then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. Written in the year 50 C.E., some 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus and 20 years before the Gospel of Mark, Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians is the oldest piece of Christian literature we have today. Although Paul was only in Thessalonica (the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia) for a short while, he had developed a deep affection for the new Christian converts of the city. Although Paul wanted to visit them again in person, he was unable and sent his companion Timothy in his place. Timothy's report back to Paul was good, but hinted at some deficiencies in the new converts' life of faith (3:10). In response to this concern, Paul writes them this letter. He reminds them that their lives should be marked by faith, love, and hope (1:3; 5:8). He also emphasizes the return of Jesus that will bring final salvation to believers (4:13-18). Can you imagine being one of those early Christian converts? I'm sure they were both encouraged and frightened by the fact that Jesus would return any day like a theft in the night to punish the faithless and redeem those that believe. Was their faith enough for Jesus to recognize them as "children of light and day" or would they be considered a person still lingering in the dark? Although Paul is pleased by the faith demonstrated by those early believers in Thessalonica, he continues to encourage them to keep on keeping on. He doesn't want them to get distracted and lose focus, but to hold their faith together until Christ's imminent return. The key to doing this involves self-control, faith, love and hope. People throughout history have tried to predict the second and final coming of Jesus. People have tried to uncover the exact moment by studying the scriptures and reading into current events. Although the time was unknown, the Christians in Thessalonica believed that Jesus would return during their lifetime. Believing this certainly made living a faithful life a more urgent matter. Almost 2,000 years later, Christians are still waiting for Christ's triumphant return. The challenge for us, as with our brothers and sisters in Thessalonica, is remaining steadfast in our faith. In this letter Paul also reminds us that in the meantime our lives should be marked by faith, love and hope. Then we shall be called "children of light." For reflection: If Jesus were to return today, would He see you as a person of light or darkness? In what areas of your life do you need more faith? Love? Hope? Prayer: Jesus, I desire to live in the light of your glory, but I know that darkness also stirs within me. Help me to dispel the darkness and live as a child of light. Amen. For more informationRev. Leigh Martin |
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