1 & 2 Thessalonians – Page 2

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 – Jesus Is Coming

This passage seems to be full of riddles and images that are hard to comprehend. Even St. Augustine was known to have said something along the lines of “I don’t get it.” Paul is writing this second letter because he needs to clear up a misunderstanding about Jesus’ return. “Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.”

Apparently, the Thessalonians had an understanding of what Paul was referring to when he said, “the day of the Lord.” He doesn’t offer any sort of explanation here for us. But he does break into a story to give some more clarity. We meet the two players: the man of lawlessness and Jesus. We know Jesus is always dependable, and Paul wanted to make sure the Thessalonians were clear on that.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 – Our Rescue Is Coming

Read 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12

For those who have never felt persecution for their faith, the first part of today’s reading must seem a little foreign. Certainly, if we have encountered such it’s still hard to imagine what it was like for those early Christians. Most of Paul’s audience here would be non-Jews who hadn’t known God for long at all. It must feel like they had just jumped into a burning fire.

So many early Christians lost their lives for their faith. Around the world today, we see those same things happening at an alarming rate. While many years have passed, the truth still remains. “God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven.” We are included in this promise of rest even if we haven’t ever been persecuted personally.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-6 – God’s Justice

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Fast forward into the future, Paul is writing another letter to the young congregation in Thessalonica. Or is it Paul? Apparently, there is some controversy as to the authorship of this second letter, despite the fact Paul’s name is used. As I’ve said before, I don’t want my reflections to get so caught up in those kinds of details, but I did want to make you aware of something I had learned in case you notice a difference in style or intent between the two letters.

Similar to 1 Thessalonians, we do see a lot of thanksgiving going on. I love the picture these words paint for me as Paul says, “your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.” Don’t we all want this type of observation to be made about us? What a compliment!

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 – Live Holy

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Bible on table with cross and light beaming through a window behind shining on the cross

Paul is now closing this first letter to this young congregation in Thessalonica. They are doing so many things right; it seems Paul is afraid they are going to drop the ball. He wants them to stay holy. That is, stay connected to God. Only God is holy. And Paul says that God will “make you holy.” When we live a holy life, we are set apart, dedicated to Jesus and his purposes in the world.

We know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He’s the only way to the Father. It’s the good news we shouldn’t be keeping to ourselves. If we live a holy life, we are setting a good example for those who don’t know Jesus. It’s always my prayer that my own life will reflect Jesus in a way that draws people to him. I think that’s what Paul is talking about here.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 – The Holy Spirit’s Power is Inside You!

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Sometimes we forget we have the Holy Spirit living inside us. It’s such a perk to being followers of Jesus. Yet, we seem to have this ego or something that wants the recognition. We want to do things our own way and receive approval. Paul would have known this better than most. For years he was a strong Jewish leader. People feared him until his life was transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Now Paul wants to make sure that we, as well as his original readers, don’t ignore the power we have at our disposal. He says, “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” Why would we want to smother, restrain, or suppress the power that raised Jesus from the dead? That’s a very good question we should all ask ourselves. Regularly. We have all been gifted our own way of unleashing that power. What, then, is your super power?