We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. – 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (December 27, 2017): 1 Thessalonians 1 & 2

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” I am not sure if Albert Einstein had any particular event in mind as he spoke these words, but the presence of opposition is not unknown in our lives. In every story, the hero must have someone who opposes him. Sherlock Holmes must have his Professor James Moriarty. MacGyver has his Murdoc. Every comic book Superhero has an equally compelling comic book supervillain.

This everpresent story of opposition in our world makes it strange that we sometimes seem to present the Christmas story as if there was no opposition. Oh, there was no room at the inn. Circumstances, which included a census called at just the wrong time, seemed to conspire against the holy couple, Mary and Joseph. But for most of us, the story of Christmas is a feel-good story about shepherds and angels and foreign kings with some well-behaved animals thrown in to complete the ambiance. Sometimes, in a rush to create a positive Christmas tableau, we forget the word of Simeon, spoken to Mary and Joseph when their baby, who was born in a manger, was only eight days old. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34-35). There will be opposition to this child’s message all through his life. And that opposition began with King Herod, likely before Jesus had even learned to speak.

Paul reminds his Thessalonian readers that even he has met with opposition, and the most recent incident appears to have taken place in Philippi. But his message is not that the Thessalonians should somehow feel sorry for him. Paul’s message is not “look how much I am sacrificing for the Gospel of Christ.” The Apostle’s message is that opposition is natural. Paul would have understood Einstein's words experientially - “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” This was his reality and is our reality. If the Thessalonians were genuinely going to follow Christ, they would be opposed.

And so are we. Every fiber of our culture seems to stress that the believer in God is out of touch. Forces in our society continually try to conform us to its preconceived image. They tell us that love does not work, and that hate is the weapon that we need to wield as we confront Muslim extremists and rogue international powers. It seems that the only way that we can escape the opposition is if we are willing to give up the message of Christ, or at least, water it down. Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians, and then extended to us, is to understand that opposition is natural. If Jesus was opposed, why would we escape that opposition? But the resistance does not change who we are in Christ – we are the ones who carry his message of love to the world.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3 & 4