Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on Fri, 08/10/2010 – 12:56
Year C (2009-2010)
Bible Book: 2 Timothy / 2 Timoteus
Chapter: 2
Verse: 8 – 10
Paul’s second letter to Timothy can be compared to a situation where a dying man calls those nearest to him to his bedside for his final conversation with them. To bring closure to his life, he needs to reflect on his life and give last instructions.
It is in such a situation that Paul says to Timothy: “Remember Jesus Christ” (v 8a – NIRV).
Paul’s gospel is “Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David” (v 8 – YLT). Many years earlier, Paul declared that the focus of his proclamation of the gospel was “to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 – RSV).
Now Paul reminds Timothy, and all the readers of this letter, that Jesus came from David’s family line. He was a historical person and He was crucified for us, but He was also raised out of the dead.
When we remember that Jesus was a historical person, who lived a human life and who died on the cross, we should simultaneously remember that He is the only person who was not bound by history.
Paul’s imprisonment and possible execution (cf 4:6) emphasise the reality that the message of the gospel is also part of the history of this world. Therefore the messengers can be put in chains and even be put to death. However, just as Jesus Christ was not bound by history, “the word of God cannot be chained” (v 9b – NLT).
When Paul remembers this, he finds strength and courage in his circumstances. Therefore he is “willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation” (v 10a – NLT), for he knows that the end result will be “salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (v 10b – NKJV).
To think about or discuss the following statement: “The gospel of Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David, cannot be held back by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.”
Author: N du Toit (Ds)
Language: English