“And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews” (1 Thessalonians 2:14 NLT).
One source offers a perceptive commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:14 that lays the foundation for our look at this passage…
“Just as the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were persecuted by other Jews, so the Gentile Christians in Thessalonica were persecuted by their fellow Gentiles. Persecution is discouraging, especially when it comes from your own people. When you take a stand for Christ, you may face opposition, disapproval, and ridicule from your neighbors, friends, and even family members.” (1)
While many are familiar with this type of response, it’s important to recognize that Jesus was familiar with it as well…
“The next Sabbath (Jesus) began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, ‘Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?’ Then they scoffed, ‘He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.’ They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him” (Mark 6:2-3 NLT).
The following verse tells us how Jesus reacted to those sentiments: “…Prophets are honored everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and in their own households” (Mark 6:4 CEB). This calm, objective reply reflects a man who was accustomed to this kind of negative reaction. This response is also easier to understand in light of the following passage from the Gospel of John: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11 NIV).
These examples remind us that we may encounter a similar response from friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers, and others as we seek to follow Christ. If Jesus was rejected in this manner, His modern-day followers might be rejected as well. The first-century Christian communities in Judea and Thessalonica shared that experience, as do many throughout the world today.
While it is always encouraging to receive comfort, support, and validation from our peers, it is far more important to keep our focus on Jesus, “…the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) even if others decline to support us for doing so.
(1) Life Application Study Bible, 1 Thessalonians 2:14 Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved. Life Application® is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.