This past weekend, Family Force 6 had the opportunity to go to Thessaloniki, Greece. It is about a 4 hour bus ride from our ministry site in Albania.
In order to get ready for this trip, we studied both letters of Thessalonians together. The apostle Paul not only wrote two letters to the citizens of Thessalonica, but also visited the city during his 2nd mission trip (Acts 17). Though as you read in Acts after some Jews were persuaded to join Paul and Silas, the Jews who were jealous started a mob and riots which ultimately resulted in Paul and Silas to retreat to Berea. With that being said, here we are, 6 people on fire for the Lord going to a city with so much Biblical history.
Going to Greece was interesting; I was expecting a city like the one Paul had visited. Old houses. Quiet town. Pretty much an ancient Greek city from the Bible was in my mind. We arrive and all my expectations are shut down. Thessaloniki (the name was changed) is a busy industrial tourist sea port. I don’t think anything could be farther from my expectations.
On our full day there we get a chance to see the city. We see the ‘White Tower’ which is the symbol for the city. We saw big, old Orthodox Churches. We saw excavation cites from buildings from the 4th century. We saw the restaurants. We saw hotels and many apartment buildings. We saw the numerous sea side café bars. We pretty much saw the city for what it is now, but not what it was 2000 years ago when Paul was there. I kept waiting to see a sign for a tour of Paul’s expedition or his letter, or even the church he wrote to. But that was nowhere to be found.
(The White Tower) (The shoreline)
Part of me wonders how many people even acknowledge the history of their city. Even the culture of dressing fancy, drinking coffee, going out for drinks and partying has caught the attention of the people of this ancient Bible City. I know if I lived in a city with this much history, I would soak it in and make the most of it. The apostle Paul: a man of God, who had a divine encounter with the Lord Almighty, a writer who has many books that were chosen to be part of the sacred scriptures, visited and cared deeply for the citizens (probably the ancestors of the current residents) of Thessalonica. In both of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, he had to address the issue of idleness and the viewpoint of the 2nd coming of the Lord. What has happened to the expectedness of the Savior’s return? What happened to the people who were models for all of Macedonia with love and joy for all? What happened to the Thessalonians Paul was thankful for? What happened to Thessalonica?
(Sunset in Thessaloniki)
And today I feel that has been forgotten. The significance of this city as followers of Christ has been replaced with the current world culture.
I don’t want to say my trip to Greece was a waste. I definitely enjoyed it and am glad to say I had the chance to be in Greece and eat a true gyro, but part of me is disappointed that it was not the ancient city I expected but it was more of the modern city I see every day at home.
(My perfect gyro-in Greece)
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3&5
