Peace and Security

 

The fifth chapter of First Thessalonians begins in the middle of St. Paul's glorious vision of the coming of the Lord. We have just been told how "the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven" and gather all the beloved to be with him forever. (4:16).  Now in 5:1-11, the 2nd reading appointed for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, also aptly known as The Third Sunday of End Time, Saints Triumphant, in the Year of Mark, we have an admonition to stay awake.  "Let us live as people of the day and of the light," declares Paul.  This word is timely whenever it comes to us.

(The following questions have been formulated to get at a fundamental concern for Law and Gospel preachers:  i.e. How the Word is functioning. This is crucial since the sermon, in large part, will need to reflect this function.  For more on this method, these questions, and Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)

1.  How does the Word function in the text?  This Word has lots of Gospel in it. That is to say, there are multiple places where what God has already accomplished in Christ is announced.  Note that again and again the apostle is reminding his readers that they have already been claimed by God.  They are beloved; they belong to the day; they are destined to obtain salvation.  Also in verse 10, Paul says that Christ died for us "so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him." This is pure gospel.

2.  How is the Word not functioning in the text?  There is little evidence of the Law here, although there are certainly references to God's judgment. The ones who say, "Peace and security" are assured of destruction, and some are apparently destined for wrath, but there is no evidence that Paul is calling his listeners to repentance.  Rather he is expressing confidence that they will be found in Christ.

3.  With whom are you identifying in the text?  The Word addresses us as people of God.  We identify with those to whom Paul writes.  We too have been claimed by this generous God, and are no longer destined for wrath, but for salvation through Christ.  We are the ones called to remember these things and remind our siblings in Christ of them.

4.  What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text?  This entire text is a call to obedience.  We have been claimed by God through faith in Christ.  We are people of the day and of the light.  This text is a call to lean into that identity.  Stay awake and be sober.  Be true to your identity as children of salvation.  This is the main thrust of this text.

5.  What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text?  Using the language found in the text we can suggest several couplets:  asleep/awake; destined for wrath/destined for salvation; children of the night/children of the day.

6.  Exegetical work:  Beverly Roberts Gaventa, in her commentary, highlights Paul's claim that "the crisis of the day of the Lord does  not threaten believers, for they are 'children of the day'." (Interpretation series, First and Second Thessalonians, p. 69).  At the same time, she notes that the language of "a thief in the night" is not exactly comforting.  She writes:  "Believers may be 'children of light,' those who know that Jesus will ultimately return in triumph, but that does not mean that the present is anything less than a struggle." (Ibid., p. 71). Finally, Roberts Gaventa argues that the 'question behind the question' of times and seasons is the issue of security.  (Ibid., p. 75).  Our listeners might well have many questions about security.  This text, then, gives the preacher plenty of opportunities to address these concerns, assuring listeners that salvation is in God's hands, not ours, and we need not fear, for "whether we are awake or asleep we [will] live with him."  This echoes Paul's words to that effect in Romans 14:7: "...whether we live or whether we die we are the Lord's."  As said earlier, this text is primarily a call to obedience with a reminder of our identity as children of the day.  The day of the Lord, therefore, is not a threat to be feared, but a promise to be celebrated.

7.  How does the Crossings Community model work with this text?  Steven Kuhl, in his 2014 analysis, rightly picks up on the places in the text where the Law is present, i.e. where some say, "Peace and security" and sudden destruction comes upon them, from which there is no escape.  In identifying this verse as the place of the Law, he agrees with Roberts Gaventa in that security seems to be the main issue.  For Kuhl, the crucial question in regards to security is not "When will He come?", but "Who will save me from the wrath to come?" The gospel is found in verse 9:  "...salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us." The complete analysis can be found archived under its reference at crossings.org/text-study.

Blessings on your proclamation!