Who is Your Joy? - December 19

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

Reflect

Who or what is your crowning glory and joy? Why? Is there anyone who might consider you their crowning glory and joy?

A foundational belief of Christianity is in the triumphant return of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus promised: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul explained: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

So, knowing that he would one day stand before the Lord, what did Paul do? What did he make his life’s mission? He told us in the very next verse (2 Corinthians 5:11): “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.” His life’s work was to preach the Gospel and convince others of its truthfulness using Scripture and sound reasoning. He committed his life to teaching others the way of salvation.

That’s why in today’s verses, Paul referred to the believers in Thessalonica as “our glory and joy.” Knowing that the Lord had used him and his companions to bring the Gospel to the Thessalonians and so many received it, brought him joy. Not temporary happiness, but eternal joy. He considered it his highest honor, his “crown of boasting,” to have been used by the Lord like that.

It’s important to note that Paul was not being arrogant here. He wasn’t boasting in the sense that we normally think of. He wasn’t bragging about “winning them” to Christ. The NASB translates the “crown of boasting” as the “crown of exultation” which means jubilation, rejoicing, triumph, celebration.

Think of it as parental pride. If you are a parent, you probably often dream about who your kids will be when they grow up. How much pride will you will feel when they graduate, or land their first adult job. We don’t know what the future holds for our kids but we like to believe they will make us proud. And we get to be a part of shaping that future. What an immense privilege.

But whatever your hopes for your children are, do you share the apostle John’s sentiment that “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4)? John was talking about his spiritual children, of course. Just as Paul considered the believers in Thessalonica to be his spiritual children. But spiritual children or, the joy was real. What a joy it is to know that all the blood, sweat and tears we pour into discipling the next generation was not in vain. Like Paul we can consider it our ultimate joy and crown to know that someone else will join us in the presence of the Lord forever.

Paul recognized that his mission was a gift from the Lord and an incredible privilege. His work had eternal results and eternal rewards! One of those was knowing that one day, he would see the Thessalonian church among the other believers he had evangelized. And that gave him immense hope in the midst of so much trouble and persecution! He would know that none of it was in vain. It was all worth it.

Respond

Lord, ultimately, You are our hope, our joy, and our crown! Without the hope we have in You, we wouldn’t have the honor of sharing the hope we have in You with others. Thank You for everyone You sent into my life who obediently stewarded the gift of the Gospel well and helped to shape my faith. May I do the same for those You have sent into mine. Amen.

Reveal

We have all been entrusted with the Gospel. Steward it well by sharing it with someone this week and pray that the Holy Spirit would work through you.