THE BEAUTY FOUND IN GOOD NEWS

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 HCSB

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Paul was worried about the new Christian church in Thessalonica and in his letter to them, He expressed a great beauty in caring for his Thessalonian brothers and sisters in Christ, longing to one day see him again.

I think the same thing happens to us when we are distant from people we care about and our concern and longing amplifies when there’s a hint of hardship or affliction in play. Maybe you have gone through the worry when a loved one is sick or struggling and you are far from them. Sometimes communication in these cases is sparse and so you pray and hope to hear a report of something positive, something to quench your uneasiness and anxiety.

Do you remember how you felt when you received an update and it fulfilled what you had hoped and prayed for?

If so, then you know the beauty that is found in receiving good news. It’s a place where we find thanksgiving and praise abound.

As we continue to look at the third chapter of 1 Thessalonians, we find Paul receive a report from Timothy that elevates his spirits and assuages his worries. You’ll remember that Timothy was sent to Thessalonica because Satan had hindered Paul and the others from going (2:18). We don’t know the nature of the hindrance but it was of a nature that led Paul to feel it was best that they didn’t all go, sending only Timothy.

In today’s passage, we find Paul basking in the beauty of the good news that Timothy brought to him. This good news included:

1. Good news about the faith and love found in the Thessalonian church.

Paul had a deep concern that the believers in Thessalonica might fall away from the Gospel, falling prey to outside influences. Timothy’s report removed that apprehension and left Paul and the others encouraged about them through their faith which they were standing firm in.

2. Good news about the way the Thessalonians believers remembered Paul and the others.

Paul had worked hard in Thessalonica against severe opposition to share the Gospel of Jesus with all who would listen but his time there was short. While he held vivid and find memories of his time with the Thessalonian believers, there was no assurance that they remembered him.

Timothy dashed away those concerns by letting Paul and the others know that the Thessalonians believers held “good memories” of them and were eager to see them again when the time presented itself.

This good news brought great comfort and encouragement to Paul and his fellow missionaries as they faced distress and persecution, breathing life into their spirits despite their circumstances. Paul made sure he shared how he gave thanks for the Thessalonians for bringing him and the others great joy, now having an increased desire to see them again face-to-face.  

Yes, there is beauty found in good news and today, every person in Christ Jesus has a great message to share with others. For every Christian has been called by Jesus to share the Gospel, which when translated means...yes, you’ve got it...good news.

Here’s what the scriptures say about the magnificent splendor found in the ultimate good news of Christ:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation. Isaiah 52:7

Friends, Jesus has given us a beautiful tasking and every day is filled with opportunities to carry it out and help others find eternal life.

There isn’t any good news better than that.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com