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Thessalonians 5:1-11 -Since Christians are children of the day
(righteousness) and not of the night (wickedness), they are to remain sober and
awake. To be ready and to be equipped to do battle against evil, they are to be
equipped with faith, hope, and love. Paul comforts and assures them that God
has not destined them to wrath, but to salvation so that whether they live or
die, they might be with the Lord.
Paul assures his readers the children of light will
not be surprised when the day of the Lord suddenly comes. The Christians of the
first century were concerned about the exact date of Jesus’ return. Does this
not sound familiar? There are many who spend an inordinate amount of time speculating
when the Lord will return. Paul reminded them that no exact day could be
determined, for Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly as a thief comes in
the night. But concerning that day and
hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father
only.- Matthew 24:36 Thus the Christian should pray, “Even so quickly come, Lord Jesus, quickly come.”
A prayer for
Peace: Almighty and everlasting God,
who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of
Your people and grant us Your peace all our days; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. [1]
[1] Collect
for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia
Publishing House, St. Louis
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