Holy and Whole

Series: Changes

1 Thessalonians 5:23-25 MSG

I often remind myself as I read scripture what the Apostle Paul and the other early Christians went through in the days and years after Jesus returned to heaven.

The early believers ‘had a rough go of it’.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23-25 Paul wrote to the new believers in Thessalonica, “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.

The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! Friends, keep up your prayers for us.”

From our perspective today his words are just as packed with power as they were when Paul first sent the letters of encouragement and hope to the new churches that had formed.

What we often forget (including myself) is that the early believers were severely persecuted by the establishment.

The Romans and others knew if the words of Jesus took root and changed lives it could be a problem for the status quo. After all Jesus had already been crucified and word spread that three days later he rose from the dead.

While the Roman authorities didn’t want to believe that, they were unable to dispute it because there were witnesses.

Today we have evidence that those disciples who saw Jesus die and knew he was placed in a sealed tomb did appear to them three days later. While young John was the only male disciple who witnessed the crucifixion, there were several woman followers (disciples) who were present when Jesus breathed his last breath.

When Jesus rose again He gave marching orders to all of those disciples wanted to know when the kingdom of God would be restored. In Acts 1:7-8 we read, “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

James gives us clear evidence of the scattering in James 1:1-3, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

And so they scattered. We note that they scattered because God commanded it, but the persecution actually made leaving the region look much more inviting. God did have a plan.

In God, Deborah/acrazyjourney.com