“Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8; 11-12 NIV
I have four children. By 5 pm, when they are at their loudest and hungriest, all I want is for them to be in bed. But then they go to sleep, and somehow I miss them. Despite all of their silly jokes, constant questions, and spilled milk on the carpet (even though they are not allowed to drink milk on the carpet), I desire to be around them. When they wake up in the morning, I can’t help but hug them and draw them close to me. A mother’s affection for her children is obvious to everyone around her. It’s like she is compelled by her overwhelming and unconditional love for them to always be with them.
Paul’s affection for the Thessalonians is just as obvious. He compares himself to a mother treating her children with care and delight (1 Thess. 2:7-8). Paul then compares his treatment of the Thessalonians to a father’s treatment of his own children. He extorts and encourages them to live lives worthy of God and his calling for their lives (1 Thess. 2:8).
When Paul shared his faith with the Thessalonians, He didn’t just give them the gospel. He also gave them genuine affection and a relationship. His heart was attached to their lives and situations. He says he longed to see them when he was separated from them and calls them his glory and joy (1 Thess. 2:17-20).
The power of the Gospel is in the saving work of Jesus, not in anything we can do. However, our affection toward the people we share the Gospel with can help open or close their hearts to hearing what Jesus has done for them. When we give ourselves to people along with the Gospel, they don’t only hear it but also experience the overwhelming love and affection Jesus has for them.
Who do you want to help get to know Jesus? What can you affectionately and intentionally do to invest in your relationship with them this week?