Boasting About You

1Thessalonians 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.

Now Paul seems to switch gears and to draw the attention to himself. This at first glance seems out of line with the rest of his teaching. What could he mean? If we look at Paul’s life through the lens of his relationship with these communities what do we see? How do they measure up against the teaching of Jesus? For example, if I paraphrase, Jesus said we would recognize Him, Jesus, if we loved one another. He said those who want to be first of all must be last of all and servant of all. I think Paul does recognize that all he has suffered and all he has sacrificed so others would know the love of Christ shows him to be servant of all. At Jesus coming either at the end of my life or the end of the age, I might have a crown and joy if he sees not me but those I have served. You, meaning some of the people around me through my life, will be my testimony before my Lord.