Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 2Timothy2:8-9
Timothy was a protégé of Paul. Paul was training him up and equipping him to continue the work of proclaiming the gospel. Many commentators have pointed out that Timothy was hesitant and that he lacked decisiveness and courage. Some have even called him "Timid Timothy."
In this second letter to the young Timothy, Paul reminds him "you have not been given a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
Paul continues telling Timothy to be bold and brave and in chapter two he uses all kinds of images:
- He must _endure_ like a soldier
- He should _strain_ forward like an athlete
- Take all-or-nothing _risks_ like a farmer who spends his savings to plant a crop.
But this is not easy to do. And so Paul reveals his most inspiring argument: "Remember Christ, raised from the dead... This is my gospel!"
For Paul it boils down to the resurrection. It is this amazing, incredible and stunning victory that is Paul's "good news" (that's what "gospel" means.)
This isn't a theory for Paul - it is real! Paul writes from the discomfort and uncertainty of prison. He has endured, strained and risked. He has been a soldier, athlete and farmer because the resurrection assures him that the victory is sure.
God's (final) Word (Christ) is not chained - He is Risen.
The resurrection is a stunning victory that we should never never never never take for granted! His resurrection can make us endure, strain and risk! Paul did and we can too!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
