2 Timothy 4 - Finale - Get Kleenex

 

11 Only Luke is with me....13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come--and the books, especially the parchments... 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.  17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!  21a Do your utmost to come before winter.... 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

.....and more Kleenex please.   Only Luke is with me... the only one around at the very end... a true friend and faithful companion over so many years has been showing up.... likely peeking his head into the cold, stone pit where his friend sits chained. Some believe he may have even written this letter that Paul was sending Timothy.  Some think he may have been there at his public execution... that would be a sweet comfort to rest his eyes on the face of a dear friend... we don't know for sure.     

Paul's letter is packed with encouragement, instruction and information Timothy will need as he is passed the baton.  As dire as Paul's situation is, it is never the focus, but there are signs of his current state. Paul is pretty much alone still. 😔 Forsaken by many😞 (v16).   His body is cold🥶 (v13, 21).  He wants the books and parchments, God's very word to comfort his soul🤗.   We don't know if Timothy made it to Rome in time to see his 'father-in-the-faith' again.  I really hope so... but what a relationship they shared.  

God has delivered Paul from persecutions and desperate situations over and over.  He sustained him, strengthened him, stood by his side, and each time Paul 'got back up' and continued his gospel mission, regardless of the scars, the aches, the opposition and imprisonments (v17,18).  I wonder if Paul almost felt a sense of relief from all his battles....  to think that the next time he would 'get back up', he would likely be helped by the nail-scarred hand of His Lord, welcoming home His weary warrior who poured out every last drop .... as His Savior did for him.

2 Timothy 4:11,19,20-21 - Good Guys and Marky Mark

 

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21b Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

Paul writes like I speak.... starts here, interjects then goes back, so I'm putting the 'good guys' together.   It's like a final inventory of relationships, and an update to Timothy of what's going on in the church at large. He remembers Priscilla and Aquilla and Onesiphorus - they left a mark on his heart.. a good one he could remember and draw strength from in hard times.  But my favorite part... what I love most of all that he asks for Mark.  Follow me for a minute... it's worth it.

In Acts 15 (v36 to the end), Paul and Barnabus were besties, setting out to re-visit all the places they had preached to gospel to see how the churches were doing.  Barney wanted to bring John Mark, and there was a 'big bestie beef' over it.  John Mark had bailed on them in Pamphylia when things got tough, and Paul didn't want to have to count on someone he couldn't count on, so they split up.  

John Mark is the Mark mentioned here in 2 Timothy! The one who is now helpful/useful... the one he wants Timothy to bring to him so he can help in ministry.  💖 After just having told Timothy that Demas traded sanctification for destruction, it must have soothed his soul to see that Mark was back on track, serving Christ, and that he would be helpful. 𝅘𝅥𝅯Reunited and it feels so good𝅘𝅥𝅯. He wanted Timothy to know that now he could count on Mark too.   Ministry isn't a job to Paul ... it's an investment of his heart and soul into others, and it can bring such a weight of disappointment, and yet also the greatest of joys. I can almost imagine a smile as he mentions Mark's name. 

Note to self: never give up on others... ya never know what God will do in the future (just look in the mirror ;)

2 Timothy 4:10, 14-15 - The Bad Legacies

 

10 ...Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.... 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when He comes for you....

Paul has given his ministry's summation and now he is updating Timothy on some others.  Demas bailed.  Must have hurt Paul just to say it.  Demas had sent him greetings along with Luke (Colossians 4:14), with Epaphras, Aristarchus and Mark (Philemon 1:24)...  he seemed to be 'one of them'... he hung out with the "A" team.  Then Demas left because he loved the world (James says if you love the world you make yourself an enemy of God) ... Demas traded his soul for earthly pleasure.  He is ending his race.  He ran back. Didn't finish.  No crown waiting. Just a T-shirt and a legacy... a bad one.

Then there is Alexander the coppersmith.  Likely the guy he mentioned in his first letter to Timothy (1:20) who was with Hymenaeus (one of the vessels of dishonor in chapter 2) ... they were blasphemers to be 'handed over to Satan' (yikes!)  Bad dude.  Caused Paul a lot of trouble... and Paul asked God to give him what he deserves 😟.  He warns Timothy of the potholes in the road ahead... those he needs to watch out for... the bad boys, deserters and trouble makers.  

If anyone has cause to quit, it was likely Paul.  But he didn't quit... it's all part of the journey for him.  Leading God's people isn't what the sheep think it is.... it's loving and feeding the flock... and protecting them from the wolves.. it is exhausting and often heart-breaking.  Encourage and thank your pastor today. And don't be a Demas.

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8 - Fought The Good Fight

 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

😭 This is the last chapter of the last letter that Paul will write.  The last of the remaining apostles has given his final dose of encouragement to young Timothy.  There is nothing left to give... he has been poured out as a drink offering.  

To the nation of Israel, this was very familiar.   After a lamb was slain and offered on the altar, the priest would pour out wine on it, signaling the end of the sacrifice.  The Lamb of God had been slain.  Paul has poured out his last few drops, spent in what Christ has called him to do, as if it were the wine offering. Nothing left to give. He ran the race, he fought the good fight and he can almost see the finish line. 

I can't help but imagine how tired and weary he must be. All that awaits is his execution... not something he seems fearful of, but sees as the doorway to eternity and to a crown of righteousness from the righteous Judge. 

Such a legacy.... to be able to proclaim that you have given all for the Savior.  To know there was nothing you held back.  I am both impressed by this level of devotion and I cringe at my own lack thereof. I want to be able to say those words when I breathe my last.   I want to fight the good fight, leave it all on the field, and finish well.... every last drop poured out.