Today's Scripture Reading (February 4, 2021): 1 Thessalonians 3 & 4
Jewish Philosopher, Walter
Benjamin, complained that he "came into the world under the sign of Saturn -- the star of
the slowest revolution, the planet of detours and delays." Sometimes, that
seems to be a place where we all live. Maybe this is a planet dominated by
Saturn, explaining the detours and delays under which we all suffer. As a child
of the north, I know what it is like to be delayed because of the snow in the
winter and detoured by the ever-present construction during the other seasons
of the year. All in a mad rush to finish the repairs before snow once again
dominates the terrain. The ever-present joke is that there are really only two
seasons in the year; winter and construction.
Paul
was supposed to go to Thessalonica, but he was delayed. Finally, he decided to
send Timothy to the Thessalonians in his stead. But it is evident that as much
as Thessalonica appreciated Timothy's presence, they were expecting Paul, and the
Thessalonians wondered why the Apostle hadn't come. And so, as Paul writes to
the church, he tries to explain his absence.
Paul wanted to go to Thessalonica.
But he was also a man with a price on his head. Because of the danger to Paul
and his companions, the Apostle had left his partners, Silas and Timothy, at Berea
and had gone to Athens with a guard for protection. Once Paul had reached Athens,
he sent for Silas and Timothy to come quickly. When they arrived in Athens,
Paul dispatches Timothy to Thessalonica in his place. His love for the Thessalonians
meant that he wanted to keep them safe and, even though he wanted to go to
Thessalonica, the more prudent alternative was to send Timothy while Paul
stayed in Athens
We can imagine the decision didn't
make anyone happy. Paul wanted Timothy with him, but someone had to go to the
Thessalonians, and Timothy was the best option. The Thessalonians wanted Paul
to come and were confused when he didn't. Timothy didn't want to leave Paul,
not now in his hour of need. But Paul couldn't stand it any longer. The delay for
the Thessalonians had already been too long.
So, Timothy went to Thessalonica.
Silas was sent to Macedonia, maybe back to Berea. And Paul would go, alone, to
Corinth so that his enemies would endanger no one else. Paul, Silas, and
Timothy would reunite in Corinth.
And it is at Corinth that Paul
would compose this letter and give the Thessalonians the answer to the question
of why Paul had not come to them.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5
No comments:
Post a Comment