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| 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 |
In the Acts of the Apostles there is a story about Paul preaching, for several weeks, the good news of Jesus Christ in the synagogue in Thessalonica. As a result of his preaching, "some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women" (Acts 17:4). However, some of the Jews were unhappy with this development and stirred up a riot in the city by claiming that Paul and Silas were saying Jesus was a king and therefore they were defying Caesar's decree. The authorities took bail money from Jason - Paul and Silas had been staying at Jason's house - and under cover of darkness, Paul and Silas escaped from the city of Thessalonica.
Some time later, after Paul's co-worker, Timothy, had been to visit the young church in Thessalonica, Paul writes to the congregation to encourage them and correct some misconceptions which may have arisen because his teaching had been abruptly cut short there!
In today's reading, Paul and his co-workers, Silas and Timothy, give thanks for the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica. They have become an example, or model, in the whole region because of their faith. Paul highlights their: work of faith; labour of love; and steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Which of those qualities (or perhaps some other quality) do sense God would most like to see developed in your life? What kind of example, or model, of faith are you and your congregation?
Marilyn Malton
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