Today In The Word - Moody Bible Institute Paul’s Situation of Being “Poured Out Like a Drink Offering” Read 2 Timothy 4:6–18 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 The Roman centurion Marcellus, a new convert to Christianity in A.D. 298, had to make a choice. Would he celebrate Emperor Maximian’s birthday? It involved sacrifices to the gods and worship of the emperor. He decided: No. He proclaimed, “I serve Jesus Christ the Eternal King.” For his stand, he was imprisoned and executed. Tradition says that Paul also was martyred for his faith. Writing 2 Timothy from a Roman dungeon, the Apostle knew his time was near. He chose three images to put his life in perspective (vv. 6–7). The first is of a drink offering. Typically, this was about a liter of wine poured out alongside the main offering. That’s how Paul viewed his life—as an act of worship, a living sacrifice poured out alongside the once-for-all sacrifice of his Savior. The second picture is of a fight, nearly over; and the third image is of a race, almost finished. Together these are images of worship, faithfulness, commitment, and endurance. The Apostle also put his future in perspective (v. 8). Death was not an end, only a departure. He looked forward to being with Christ and to receiving along with others a reward for faithfulness. Concluding the letter, Paul struck a personal note (vv. 9–18). He felt lonely and hoped Timothy would be able to visit him before he died. He took a Christ-like attitude and forgave those who had deserted him at his initial legal hearing (Luke 23:34). God had given him the words to say (see Matt. 10:18–20). As previously, he rejoiced that his chains had served to advance the gospel. This time, though, Paul knew his release would be to God’s “heavenly kingdom,” and he praised Him that the day was coming soon. One can easily imagine today’s verse as an epitaph that Paul wrote for himself. An epitaph is an inscription on a tombstone, words that try to sum up what a life was about. What epitaph would you write for yourself? Or what epitaph would you like to be able to write at the end of your life? What choices are you making to get there?
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 01:59:29 +0000
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