Thoughts on the readings for May 17th (Joshua 1, Isaiah 7,1 Thessalonians 1, 2)

Paul’s first visit to the Thessalonians (in Macedonia) was perhaps around 51 AD. The letter commenced with “grace” (Greek’charis’ – love) and “peace” (Hebrew’shalom’ – wholeness, or peace), which come from God, our Father. As a group of Christian believers the Macedonians were severely persecuted, like their fellow Jewish believers in Judea – many of them being put to death for their beliefs. The Thessalonians were, however, extremely generous in financially contributing to Paul’s preaching – especially the Philippians. The central message of both letters is the second coming of Jesus Christ to set up the kingdom of God on earth. Every chapter of both letters refers to this – some chapters containing several references (in the Bible we find over 500 references to the second coming of Jesus Christ). Their love and labours for the Truth were exemplary to all believers. Note verse 9 refers to their belief in “the Living God” and cites not only the verse in Jeremiah 10:10, but the whole context of Jeremiah 10 was relevant to the situation of the Thessalonian believers. Chapter 2 speaks of the love of Paul, Silas, Timothy and Titus among them. Interestingly the name Titus means “nurse”, or “rearer”. Paul worked to support his companions’ needs and for the preaching of the gospel. The Apostle commends the believers for their patience in suffering persecution. Finally he expresses a desire to see them again and says that in the day of Christ’s coming their acceptance of the gospel would be his victor’s crown (Greek ‘stephanos’).