Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

Thessalonica, Philippi—two cities of ancient Greece. Had it not been for Paul, only scholars would know the names now. He established them in our hearts forever when he wrote the most precious collection of letters in the world, his letters to the churches located in these and other cities where missionary Paul planted churches. Thessalonica, now called Saloniki, is in northern Greece. After being beaten and jailed for preaching the gospel of Christ in neighboring Philippi, Paul arrived in Thessalonica because the city officials at Philippi asked him and his friends to leave their city. Undeterred, Paul immediately began to preach Christ to the Jews of Thessalonica (Acts 16:38 to17:15).

Many scholars believe this letter to the church at Thessalonica is the first letter Paul wrote. First, Paul expresses his gratitude to God for each church member. He says he prays for them, giving thanks for their love in action. Paul is grateful for “endurance inspired by hope.” Hope in what? An indefinite hope that everything will turn out all right? Not at all. With hope rooted in their Lord Jesus Christ, the Thessalonians were moving forward, growing in their faith.

How long has it been since you wrote a letter that began with the reasons you thank God for the persons to whom you are writing? If you are like me, I can’t remember ever doing that. Paul did. Should we imitate him?

Read Hebrews 13:18-25

Like many New Testament letters, this one comes to a close with a prayer request. The request, that he will be able to come to see his readers in person, is coupled with a statement that he has a clear conscience. The writer realizes that it’s hard to pray for a ministry without having confidence in its leader.

He not only asks prayer, he prays for them in one of the most beautiful and best-known benedictions in all of scripture. About half of it describes God and the other half describes what the writer requests God to do for his readers.

The letter to the Hebrews—whoever and wherever they were—closes with short, purely personal information. The writer and his readers are acquainted with Timothy, Paul’s son in the faith. He gives them the happy news that Timothy has been freed from prison. Other friends, who were Italian, send greetings. The final words have a liturgical form, indicating that the writer intended for the letter to be read aloud publicly.

Good arguments can be made for and against Paul as the author of this remarkable book. Whoever wrote it had a superlative grasp of who Christ is and the purpose of his earthly life, death, and resurrection. No doubt he would pray for us, as he did for the original readers, that the Great Shepherd of the Sheep would equip us to serve God better and better.

Read Hebrews 13:7-17

What qualities of Jesus can you name? Savior dying, Great High Priest interceding, Victor over death, Healer, Comforter, Companion. He is all of this and more. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus does not change. He is the same forever.

Knowing this, what is his advice? Don’t wander from God’s path, lose your bearings, and get lost. We worship at a new altar, the cross of Christ and the saving benefits of his death. Worshiping anywhere else, even at the old Jewish tabernacle with its rites and sacrifices, is no longer profitable. Freed from the old ways, moving forward under Christ’s banner, we offer, not animal sacrifices, but the “sacrifice of praise.” We praise him for who he is, what he has done and is doing for us.

The writer reminds us that Jesus suffered outside the gates of Jerusalem, a separation foreshadowed in the religious rituals of ancient Israel by the burning of animals’ bodies outside the camp on the Day of Atonement. Following Christ usually involves some rejection. This may include the misunderstanding of friends and family who do not comprehend the changes they see in us as we modify our personal habits to conform to a Christ-pleasing lifestyle. Never mind, he says. Christ knew suffering. He died alone. He understands. Follow him outside your comfort zone. Follow him to the ends of the earth. Follow him at home. Here. Now. Today. Whatever your circumstances.

Read Hebrews 13:1-6

“I will never leave you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). God said it to Moses, instructing him to tell Israel. Centuries later the writer of Hebrews applies the promise to all of God’s people. God has not changed. He will never leave his people nor forsake us. These words are God’s promise for all circumstances of life, applicable in a wide range of situations.

The writer presents a roundup of exhortations on how to honor Christ in our living. He points us toward hospitality, not just to old friends, but also toward strangers. He singles out for our help particularly prisoners and those who suffer for whatever reason. Helping those whose lives are hard is not optional. Reach out to others. All of these circumstances are external to us.

The writer makes it clear that the same promise applies to our internal life circumstances. Keep your marriage vows no matter what. Nobody said achieving a successful marriage was easy, but God promises not to leave you struggling alone in life’s closest bond. He presses on to money. Making money is not wrong. Letting it have first place in your life, letting money rule you instead of your managing it, loving it for its own sake is wrong. You don’t have to do that. Live confidently, he says. Remember, God will never leave you. The Lord of the universe is your helper. What better security could there be?

Read Hebrews 12:18-29

Which is easier to approach, Mount Sinai or Mount Zion? That is the contrast the writer sets before us. Moses climbed Sinai with its smoke, shaking, and trumpet sound. He came away with the Ten Commandments. We are challenged here to climb Mount Zion, spiritually speaking, with its joyful assembly of angels and residents of heaven. We can come away with sins forgiven and a personal knowledge of the God of the universe who lowers himself to meet with each individual human, loving each of us equally.

This is the climax of the writer’s entire argument. He has established Christ as our Great High Priest. He holds before us the old covenant, the Law of Moses, and the new covenant, the way to God open through Christ’s broken body. God is not silent. He has made himself known to us in many ways. Will we respond?

The choice is ours, but the writer warns us of the consequences of refusing God’s offer. Ancient Israel did not escape punishment when they turned away from God after hearing his voice shake Sinai. Now, he speaks from heaven. It’s Hebrews’ two-story approach again. He cautions us bluntly. All the earth—everything created—can be shaken. All of it will someday disappear. We go out into eternity with nothing but God’s unshakable kingdom before us. Will we go in worship and awe, or will we face God’s consuming fire?