1 Thessalonians 3

I have often wondered what happen in Jesus in the short period of time between when he called out from the cross, “My God why have you forsaken me?” and he said, “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.” There are some mysteries that will never be solved until we get to see Jesus face to face.

There are other, seemingly contradicting, positions which are not as difficult to sort out. All of the anxiety Paul was expressing in this chapter is an example. Remember, this is the same Paul that writes in Philippians 4, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”

The first step I take to sort out the difference between Philippians 4 and today’s reading is to acknowledge that Paul’s pastoral heart is much like the heart of a parent for their child. It doesn’t do any good to tell a parent not to worry about their children; worry is an essential part of the parent’s job description.

The second step is to remember that the issue with Jesus mentioned above was in a time frame of an hour at most. The issue with today’s reading and Philippians is a time frame of ten years. That’s the length of time between the two letters. Acts 18-28 covers this period of time in Paul’s life and was packed with adventure, turmoil, imprisonment, persecution as well as awesome displays of God’s grace and power. Paul changed a great deal during this period. Older, wiser, and spiritually mature Paul was resting in God’s love as he wrote his prison letters.

I have been at Christ Church for ten years. If I were starting here today my message would still be grounded in Christ Jesus, and Him crucified. But, it would be different. Along with ebb and flow of life in the parish I have served on four week long Celebrate Jesus Missions, been to Cuba twice and Israel once. I have changed.

So, how are you growing in Christ? How is your life different today, from a few years ago? Are you aware of how God is working to form Christ in you? I think it is good to remember Paul’s prayer from Ephesians 3 and ask ourselves if we are seeking God to make this prayer a reality in our lives:

“I pray that from God’s glorious, unlimited resources

he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Then Christ will make his home

in your hearts as you trust in him.

Your roots will grow down into God’s love

and keep you strong.”

What does today’s reading reveal to you about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change anything in your life?