Today we turn to the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica. In this brief letter, Paul encourages the Thessalonians once again to remain faithful. He corrects the erroneous proclamation of some that Jesus had already returned and reminded them this wouldn’t happen until “the man of lawlessness” had been revealed. He urged them to continue to pursue the work of the Lord and admonished them that the ones who weren’t willing to work ought not to eat, that is to be provided for by those who were working. Paul was not speaking of those who “could not” work, but those who “would not” work.
In 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul gave thanks to God for the believers there, and called out God’s punishment on those who hurt them or spoke against them.
In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul started by telling them he had not sent a letter saying Jesus had already returned. This concern emphasized the Thessalonians’ preoccupation with Jesus’ return. While we must be ready for it, the best position to take is not to be preoccupied with Jesus’ return, but always living in such a way we will be ready when He comes. Paul reminded those who were concerned, that Jesus wouldn’t return before the “man of lawlessness,” was revealed. Most biblical scholars, consider this man to be one and the same with the anti-Christ.
In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul urges the believers to work diligently and to be found at work when the Lord returns. He reminded them how he had said those who wouldn’t work ought not to be able to eat. That reminds us of the importance of working if we are able. We aren’t to rely on others to provide for us, unless we can’t work, and then of course it is the responsibility of the believers to provide. As those who live in our current age of entitlement, here in America, it is a helpful reminder to be diligent in our work, so long as we can. In that way, we will be able to help others who need it, and when our time comes to need help, we will have brothers and sisters to help us!
As we return to Luke 5, Jesus called the first disciples. This account is extended in comparison with those of Matthew and Mark. Here we find Jesus intervening in the fishermen’s lives and helping them catch many fish. Peter’s response to the miracle was fear. He told Jesus to leave because Peter saw himself as a sinful man. But Jesus’ response was, “Don’t be afraid…” Jesus saw Peter’s self-denigration as a sinner, as a revelation of Peter’s fear. Jesus promised to take away the fear and make Peter and the others, fishers of people.
Next, Jesus healed a man with leprosy, followed by healing a paralytic. Both of these miracles saw Jesus doing something that set Him apart from others. Jesus touched a leper, which ought to have made Him unclean. Instead, the leper became clean! Jesus forgave the paralytic’s sin, before healing his physical ailment. This rightly caused the religious leaders to notice. “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” they asked. Good question. Jesus is God, which is why He could take such action.
Jesus then called Levi or Matthew, the tax collector to follow Him. This caused Matthew to rejoice and throw a party at his house, to which he invited Jesus and all his “sinner” friends. The religious leaders couldn’t handle this, but Jesus reminded them the healthy don’t need a physician, but the sick. That’s why He had come to call the sinners, not the “righteous” to repentance. I put “righteous” in quotes, because none of us are righteous apart from the saving power of Jesus in our lives.
The chapter ends with Jesus having a discussion about fasting, and why His disciples didn’t fast, when the religious leaders and John’s disciples did. The short answer was Jesus’ presence meant a party was going on, and we don’t fast during parties!