As Paul opens his second letter to Timothy, I hear the words of a Grandfather speaking to his grandson.
Maybe they aren’t quite that far apart in age, after all Paul does refer to Timothy in his first letter as his “true son in Christ”. But I tend to think that Paul referred to everyone that was saved under his ministry as his “children”. In this letter Paul mentions Timothy’s tears as they parted. A little later in the passage Paul will mention the everyone has deserted him. That would be really hard for Timothy to hear, I’ll bet. It sounds like he loved Paul like a father…or grandpa. Which causes me to muse about something else entirely….how is that Paul could evoke such feelings of love from Timothy while on the other hand everyone else parted company with him? It seems like people either loved Paul or disliked him…no middle ground. Paul must have been fairly hard to get along with…he even parted company with Barnabus, who was an encourager. I mean, if Barnabus couldn’t stay with Paul….who could? I wonder if John Mark (who left Paul behind) ever sat down for a chat with Timothy? That would be something to listen in on.
Well, let’s get back to more important topics. This passage could teach us about the joy we experience from fellowship, the importance of continuing to grow in Christ, The centrality of Jesus Christ and the benefits of enduring persecution.
Paul encourages Timothy “not to be ashamed” because he is in prison. I wouldn’t think that Paul cared what anybody thought…maybe he says this to help instruct Timothy further in the lesson on enduring persecution.
We should be thankful for the faith of those who suffer, not be ashamed of them. Around the world today there are thousands of people who are persecuted for Christ. The world sees them as weak, but Christ sees them as champions. Take Paul as an example. Here is a guy who is older, imprisoned and abandoned by his associates. Most people would see him as failing. But in reality he is penning a letter that will encourage millions across generations. I’ll bet the devil overlooked him as weak and ineffective, when actually Paul was at maximum efficiency.
Have you ever been tempted to think that you are a failure simply because friends have left you and your fortune has turned to dust? Don’t you believe it! God is able to use even your darkest moments and most difficult circumstances to bring glory to himself.
And by the way, thank God for people like Onesiphorus who encourage and lift the spirits of those who are suffering.
Encouraged,
PR