Prayer: Dear God, may we anticipate your return as much as you anticipate every time we turn to you. We praise you for your unending grace. Amen.
Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This is a famously confusing passage, but I knew that I could not speak on it without a refresher on who this “man of lawlessness” (or “man of sin”) is. I did not want to pass by him in my reflection because he is an important part of this epistle. I referenced a sermon, that you can read or listen to, if you’re interested: https://rts.edu/resources/enduring-trials-in-light-of-jesus-return-the-man-of-lawlessness/ This particular passage is about the second coming of Christ (verse 1), but Paul is assuring the readers to not be unsettled by this topic (verse 2). Just those who originally heard this letter received some phony-baloney information on who might be this “man of lawlessness” (or the anti-Christ), you might be familiar with some phony-baloney internet hoaxes out there today about who this “man of lawlessness (or anti-Christ) might be. Paul wants the readers mainly to remember what they have been taught, that Jesus has already won the battle! God is sovereign, He is large and in charge, with your best interest, your salvation, in mind. And this “man” won’t get in the way of that. So we must stand firm in our identity as children of God who have been saved by grace. God chose all of us to be the first fruits of salvation, to be saved through the Holy Spirit- how awesome is that!? Have you ever been really excited about a specific harvest season, when you can get fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers? I think about summertime, and my family’s excitement about sweet corn. Growing fruits and vegetables isn’t easy, it is something you have invested in and grown- something anticipated and waited for. Just as my family anticipates enjoying sweet corn in the sweet summertime, God anticipates the times when we turn to him and celebrates every time we come home! --Anne Harshbarger
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