Justice for the victim
Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Owen Lynch:
What did I like about today’s passage?
Like many minority groups, Saul’s friends in Thessalonica are the victims of prejudice. They refuse to get involved in a lot of the community festivals and social events because these events are centred on the Roman gods and Saul has encouraged them not to do this. More seriously, they have become notorious for refusing to bow the knee to Caesar and this is getting them into more serious trouble with the authorities and they are losing heart.
Saul doesn’t mince his words, he’s furious that his friends are being mistreated like this and he says some outrageous statements like this in 1:8 - “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord…”
On what grounds can Saul say such condemning words? Well, remember he’s a strict Jew and he is quoting Isaiah 13-14 and Daniel 7-12 which are powerful, frightening apocalyptic writings about the future. Saul is drawing on powerful, religious imagery to reassure his friends that they will experience justice for their suffering.
We all want justice for vulnerable people who are the victims of injustice right? I’m not sure we would be able to draw on such apocalyptic language as Saul does in this letter, but the desire for justice is the same nonetheless!
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
Although the apocalyptic language is unsettling, I think it shows us that God will come out fighting for the vulnerable and oppressed communities who are suffering injustice. Throughout the Bible it seems that God always sides with those who are being bullied and downtrodden by more powerful people.
What am I going to do differently as a result?
I’m going to be more intentional about siding with the vulnerable and oppressed who are suffering injustice.
Who am I going to share this with?
My family and friends and ask them to call me out on this on a regular basis.