Day and night
1 Thessalonians 5.1-11
You are all children of the light and children of the day.
Prepare
Bring to mind the most spectacular sunset (or sunrise if you like to get up early) that you’ve ever seen. Give thanks for the light, the warmth, the power, the life that the sun brings to all.
Read
Explore
Did you spot how many metaphors Paul mixes here? He begins with the ‘day of the Lord’ which is like a ‘thief’ (v 2), an invasion (v 3) and ‘labour’ (v 3). Like the disciples before them (Acts 1.6,7), the Thessalonians wanted to know when this day would come. I can sympathise – I like to know ‘when’ so I can plan!
Paul’s answer is that we don’t need to know; we need to be ready. The ‘day of the Lord’ will come – but the day of God’s kingdom has already dawned. Once again Paul returns to the gospel: ‘he died for us so that … we may live together with him’ (v 10). Don’t worry about when Jesus will return, Paul says, but learn to live the life he has won for you (v 8).
Again he urges them to ‘encourage one another’ (v 11; 4.18). Why? Because keeping focus is hard! We need to remind one another of the truth, uphold one another as we walk and help one another face the light.
Respond
The contrast between living in the darkness and living in the light is stark. Ask God to show you where your lifestyle and behaviour belong to the night, so you can turn away from it, and instead live in the light of Jesus’ day.