Reaching Out. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3.
Dear Holy Nation,
The last chapter closed with the declaration that the Thessalonians were the glory of Paul and his companions. They were therefore an important investment that could not be ignored. Paul could not go back to Thessalonica and this brought about
Exasperation (v. 1).That Paul and his companions could not endure the suspense of not knowing the state of the Thessalonian believers speaks volumes about their love and concern for the Christians. The evangelists were willing to be separated so that some would be left at Athens, while one of them went back to Thessalonica to check on the Christians there. There are times when the needs of others may demand that we sacrifice our comfort and desire to be with others we love, that we may reach out also to others.
Emissary (v. 2). The team sent Timothy back to Thessalonica. The choice of Timothy was probably because he was the one unlikely to provoke controversy. Someone was needed to go and encourage the Thessalonian Christians. Paul may have been the most knowledgeable, but he was an aggressive, controversial man and would invite conflict with the enemies of the gospel by his very presence. There may have been times when Paul and the other evangelists would have wished that Timothy was more aggressive, but now he was the man of the moment. Our differences in temperament are an asset to the Kingdom. Each of us has a slot where he alone fits. Do not envy another his personality. Wait for the divine opportunity to serve in your element.
Encouragement (v. 3). Timothy was sent to “establish and exhort” the Christians in the face of persecution, that none would be discouraged. He was to remind them that what was happening to them was not unexpected. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). We live in a world that takes offense to the truth of the gospel. If you find yourself ostracised by friends and family, framed at work for things you did not do, the subject of unfair criticism and the target of evil designs, “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets” (Luke 6:23).
Your Loving Pastor Chris.