“But we always must thank God for you, brothers and sisters who are loved by God. This is because he chose you from the beginning to be the first crop of the harvest. This brought salvation, through your dedication to God by the Spirit and through your belief in the truth. God called all of you through our good news so you could possess the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 CEB)

As the majority of people are no longer live an agricultural way of life, the first crop of the harvest, or ‘firstfruits’, is not something with which we are familiar. Obviously it has to do with the first of what was harvested.

Under the Mosaic Covenant the firstfruits were to be given to the Lord, which then went to support the Levites. They in turn gave a tithe of what they received to the Lord which went to the priests (see Numbers 18). In this way those who dedicated their lives to serving God were supported.

There was also symbolism in the firstfruits. They could give the first of their crops because there was more to come. It is in this sense that Paul is referring to the Christians in Thessalonica. They were the first to become Christians through their belief in the truth of God’s word. But they were only the beginning of the harvest. They in turn would teach others and they, too, would become followers of Jesus. But all became Christians the same way: through the good news of Jesus which they were taught.

We need to thank God for those who became Christians before we did and took the time to teach us the good news of Jesus. We need to continue teaching others who will become Christians after us and be thankful that they, too, heard the good news. Because they were now following Jesus and were loved by God, they all needed to stand firm.

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the teachings we taught you, whether we taught you in person or through our letter.” (2 Thessalonians 3:15)

Because they heard and believed the good news of salvation through Jesus the Messiah they needed to hold on to it. They needed to stand firm. The idea is that they don’t lose their footing. In the picture of the soldier than Paul gave to those in Ephesus which illustrate what we use to defend ourselves as Christians, they were to “put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). As this good news is what brings salvation we must be careful that we don’t lose our footing.

It is said that in battle a Roman soldier’s shoes had long nails or spikes coming out of the bottom. This meant that they could not easily lose their footing as their feet would remain planted. This is what we are to do as Christians. It is what they were taught that would enable them to stand firm. It didn’t matter whether they had heard it taught or read it, it was the same good news and would enable them to be ready for any opposition that come. We also have the writings of the apostles and prophets and we have those who have taught us – both should be declaring the good news of Jesus. If we hold on to the truth of God’s word we will not slip or falter.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. God loved us, and through his grace he gave us a good hope and encouragement that continues forever.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

When we are faithful to Jesus and stand firm we will receive strength and encouragement in all that we do and say. We need to study God’s word, internalise it, and live it. It will then be there for us when we need it.

Image by Mohamed_hassan from pixabay.com

Readings for next week: 2 Thessalonians 1-3; Romans 1-5