When Jesus opened the eyes of the Pharisee Saul on the road to Damascus, and “shone in his heart to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6)” everything changed. He became a man controlled by the love of Christ and an ambassador willing to joyfully suffer whatever that calling might cost. And it would cost. At his conversion, God had promised through Ananias, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name (Acts 9:16).”

In Second Timothy we read Paul’s last letter. More than thirty years later, imprisoned in Rome awaiting a possible death sentence and “bearing in his body the marks of Jesus (Gal. 6:17)” he wrote to Timothy to encourage him (and us). Is it all worth it?

Yes.

“I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (4:6–8)

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (4:18)

Paul had tasted and seen just how true Jesus’ parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price are (cf. Matthew 13:44-46) and we have his testimony here in Second Timothy to encourage us. This Sunday, Moyer Hubard will help us see the big picture of Paul’s last epistle and how it fits into the big picture of God’s redemptive plan. Kenny Clark will lead our sung worship. Please pray for us as we prepare.

And to prepare your own heart… it probably take 10 minutes (at a reasonable pace) to read Second Timothy at one sitting. Maybe 15-20 if you take it more slowly. I encourage you to give some time to read and meditate on this short but concentrated epistle in preparation for our gathered worship this week.

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

P.S. – The following Sunday September 6 we will begin our fall preaching series entitled A Song for Every Season through select Psalms. More detail about this to come in next week’s Preparing the Table post!