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Pastor's Blog February 24, 2022
"Our Joy and Glory"
Last week Paul informed us that one of the best ways to prepare for the second coming of Jesus is to invest in our relationships. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Paul asked rhetorically "what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? (NIV)" - and then pointed out that the crown we will receive is each other. In 1 Thessalonians 2:20, Paul complements this thought by stressing the nature of our joy and glory: "Indeed, you are our glory and joy" (NIV). There are two points of interest about verse 20 that help us better understand how to be ready for Jesus' second coming.
First, Paul lists three things in verse 19 - hope, joy, and a crown of glory or boasting - but in verse 20 only joy and glory are listed. Paul is most likely directing our attention to the source of any joy or glory we receive: namely, it's not in ourselves, it's in our brothers and sisters in Christ. In contrast, Jesus is the source of our hope, which is why the Bible often presents Jesus and his return as the center of our hope.
Second, Paul uses two different words for "glory": verse 19 uses the word for "boasting," but verse 20 uses a word for "glory" that means something closer to "praise" or even "worthwhile." Paul is suggesting that those who are truly ready for Jesus to come will see other people as valuable and worthwhile, rather than look at their own growth in character perfection or pursuit of holiness.
Friends, the best way to prepare for the second coming is to let Jesus change your heart and eyes, so that you will rejoice in others and see them the way Jesus sees them: as valuable and precious.
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
