When you think of reunions what picture comes to your mind? Reunions always are based on each person having something in common. As a child, reunions were always about family. We would have family reunions every second Sunday in May. This reunion was a time when we would decorate the graves of family members and afterward share lunch. Most of those at the reunion lived close enough to see them often but because of different parents’ schedules, we only saw them a few times a year. Others lived further away and we saw them only at reunions. These reunions were about family. As I grew older I realized that the only thing we had in common was being born into the same family. DNA connected us and that was it. Why was there a reunion? So that those who had memories together could share and catch up on what was going on in each other’s lives. I was never fond of these reunions because I hardly knew anyone there. As an adult, we moved away and the only family reunions I attended were those I chose to attend with close family members.
In the world we live in there are all sorts of reunions. Many catch up every year with old classmates. They recall all the antics they participated in as a young person and find out what everyone is doing in their present life. There are reunions of work associates, clubs, sports teams, etc. Yet the ones I look forward to and love are the ones where our bond is our love for Jesus.
In I Thessalonians Paul is writing to the church he helped start at Thessalonica. In verse one of his letter he includes Silvanus, which is Silas, and Timotheus, who we know as Timothy. They were reuniting and their common bond was their desire to serve the Lord and make disciples. This is a special reunion because Silas and Timothy were with Paul when the church was established. Timothy had also been sent to visit them after Paul had been driven away in Philippi
I Thessalonians 1:1 “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
While Paul was on his second missionary journey through the Mediterranean he met Timothey. The account of their first meeting is in Acts 16:1-3. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were Jewish believers, but the text tells us that his father was a Greek. It is assumed by scholars that his father was not a believer. Paul takes him under his wing and disciples him. Timothy and Paul had a relationship very similar to a father-son relationship. In I Timothy 1:2 Paul refers to Timothy as “my own son in the faith.” Paul sees something special in Timothy and becomes his mentor.
Act 16:1 “Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.”
I Timothy 1:2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Silas was also a companion of Paul’s. In Acts 15:36 “Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do” Barnabas wanted to take John Mark but Paul refused because John Mark had left them in Pamphylia and went home. Here is where Silas goes with Paul and Barnabas takes Mark. Silas was also Paul’s companion when Paul was arrested in Philippi in Acts 16. They both were beaten severely, thrown into prison, and chained with stocks on their feet. There was a special bond between them, as God caused an earthquake and they were released from prison. They were good for each other. When God caused the earthquake, they were singing hymns in the middle of the night.
Act 15:38 “But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”
I can only imagine the reunion these three experienced when they came together in Thessalonica. As they ministered, they must have rejoiced greatly thinking back and recalling the things God had done for them as they ministered for the Master. There is no friendship like one where Jesus Christ is our common bond. To win people to the Lord together and disciple them is special.
Is there someone that you have this special relationship with? If you do no miles or time can change the value of that relationship. If you never see them again on this earth you will have that sweet reunion in Heaven. As you walk together and see those whom you have ministered to together it will be an awesome time. Think about what it will be like to sit at Jesus’ feet with those you have labored with on earth. Maybe it will be someone that you have led to the Lord or the one that led you to Him.
Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Why reunions? Because it brings us together on a common ground. One Day we will experience the greatest reunion of all time. There will never be one to compare to this one. Paul ends this chapter with verse 18 which tells us to “comfort one another with these words.” When we see Jesus what a great and awesome day that will be!
