EmmDev 2016-08-30 [Treasure in Clay Pots (2Cor)] The heart of it all #1

The heart of it all #1

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.      (2Corinthians5:14)

This verse is the heart of the chapter and possibly the heart of this letter and Paul's life. We'll spend a few days on it...

Paul and his companions (and the Corinthians by implication) are "compelled" by the idea of God's love. The Greek word for "compelled" is interesting - it can be roughly translated as being "in the grip of". If we look at this word's occurrences in the New Testament then it makes sense:

• Peter's mother-in-law is "in the grip of" a fever. (Lk4:38)
• The crowds are "in the grip" of various diseases and pains (Mt4:24)
• The people of the Gerasenes are "in the grip" of great fear when Jesus drives the demons into the pigs. (Luke 8:37)
• Jesus is "in the grip" a large crowd when the bleeding woman touches the hem of His garment. (Luke 8:45)
• Jesus has the baptism (crucifixion) to be baptised with and He is in its "grip" until it is accomplished (Luke 12:50)
• Jerusalem will be "in the grip" of those who will besiege it. (Luke 19:43)
• Jesus was "in the grip" of the soldiers who were mocking and beating Him (Luke 22:63)
• When the Jews thought that Paul was blaspheming, they held their ears "in their grip" (Acts 7:57)
• Paul was "in the grip" of teaching and testifying when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia. (Acts 18:5)
• The father of Publius was "in the grip" fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. (Acts 28:8)
• Paul is "in the grip" of the choice between going to heaven and being with Jesus and staying on earth to continue His mission.

In the same way, Paul finds himself compelled/"in the grip" of this incredible idea that "One died for all and therefore all died."

Does it "grip" you too?

---

--
Theo Groeneveld
Emmanuel Presby Church
theo@emmanuel.org.za Cell: 082-5510752