2 Timothy 2:1–13—The
Impartial God – A prisoner witnesses through suffering
Our reading through Paul’s second letter to Timothy
continues with encouragement to remain a good soldier of Christ Jesus, even in
the face of suffering. But, this is no advice to Timothy simply to look deep
inside himself for strength, or keep a stiff upper lip.
No, the Christian’s source of strength in the midst of
adversity always comes from the fact that we are strengthened by the grace that
is in Christ Jesus (v. 1). Paul then quotes what he had written in his epistle
to the Romans, in connection with Holy Baptism: If we have died with him, we
will also live with him. Our Baptism into Christ gives us strength daily to
face whatever hardships we may face in this life. 2 Timothy 2:1–13—Our
reading through Paul’s second letter to Timothy continues with encouragement to
remain a good soldier of Christ Jesus, even in the face of suffering. But, this
is no advice to Timothy simply to look deep inside himself for strength, or
keep a stiff upper lip.
Paul endures all things that his people may gain
salvation. The good news that Paul shared with the world was rooted in history.
It was not some vague, ephemeral thing defied definition. Its roots cause it to
be a scandal or stumbling block to many and resulted in considerable suffering for
those who espoused that Gospel of God’s grace.
As a matter of fact, Paul is nearing the hour of his
life when he will be called on to make the supreme sacrifice for the “crime” of
sharing the Good News with his contemporaries. A view of certain facets of that
Gospel is provided in the Epistle for this coming Sunday.
No one can live without eventually suffering. As, in
the case of Paul, it may be innocent suffering; shackled in prison like a
criminal because he spread the Gospel. When undeserved suffering occurs as one
stands for Christian principles, the danger is to complain, to question God’s
justice. Yet Paul saw his suffering as a means of bringing salvation to others.
This makes suffering worthwhile. Some good is sure to come of it.
A Prayer
for deliverance from sin: We implore You, O Lord, in Your kindness
to show us Your great mercy that we may be set free from our sins and rescued
from the punishments that we rightfully deserve; through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen. [2]
[1] The Ten Lepers copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for deliverance from sin, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 17, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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