July 9, 2014 (Wednesday)
You probably know that the Book of Acts does not include the last years of Paul’s life. It tells of his arrival in Rome and his house arrest for two years. There is more, however, because Paul was tried and released and worked several more years before being arrested again and beheaded by the emperor, Nero. We know this from evidence in Paul’s letters and from other sources. He wrote to Timothy from prison as he faced death. The book of 2 Timothy has a different tone from any of his other writings. He asks Timothy to come to him, and to do it “before winter” when travel would be impossible. He requests a few of his things to give him comfort and keep him busy in his last days. His words at the end of his life have been quoted thousands of times: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV).
Second Timothy – a devotional thought
We love to think that Timothy immediately left his busy task, gathered the things requested by Paul, and set sail as soon as possible to visit his mentor and friend. He was needed, and we feel certain he responded. Do you know of someone who would be blessed by a call or visit from you today?
If Paul’s funeral were being held today, there would be no way to deliver a eulogy that would do justice to the life he lived. He preached his own funeral, by living for Jesus day after day and never giving up. When it’s your turn to be eulogized, will the speaker be comfortable in telling people about your life?