In the end

Creature Comforts

Many times we look at the Giants of the faith that we read about in scriptures and we forget. We forget that these were people, human beings with flaws, and hangups and sins, and needs and wants. When we look and read and understand the stories of the men and women in the Bible it’s easy to ascribe to them super hero status. Samson, Deborah, Mary Jesus Mother, Peter, Paul, David, Philip, the list is endless and because we have the ability to read the entire story from beginning to end these people become more than just people to us, they become hero’s and villains, and more than human. The thing is....they weren’t they were like you and I which brings us to a very real picture of a very real human writing a letter to one of his closest friends as he is coming to the end of his time on earth. Something that Paul knew was happening.

This second letter was written about 4 years after the first letter, around AD 67 during Paul's second imprisonment in Rome. We know that Paul does not feel he will be leaving prison this time. Something we find a few verses earlier.

2 Timothy 4:6 CSB

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.

Paul has no illusions about what his happening and so he makes a request of Timothy.

Presence

First we find him asking for something that we all need and at times that we can all provide.

2 Timothy 4:9 CSB

Make every effort to come to me soon,

We are not supposed to do life alone as Christ followers. We know this, we have talked about this but in this final few statements in the last letter Paul wrote that we know of we find something important.

It’s okay to need someone and it’s okay to request their presence. (expound)

Possessions

People like stuff we know this we understand it and i mean lets be honest we all like stuff. Some are defined by their stuff (expound talk about hoarders)

Somewhere along the line we have decided that stuff is wrong or bad to have, that Jesus doesn't want us to have stuff we look at him telling the rich guy to sell all he has and we think that’s what Jesus wants us to do. We look at what happened to Ananias and Sapphire and we think see they clung to money and wanted more stuff. Again that’s not it.

Stuff is not the problem for humans, the problem for humans is when the stuff becomes the goal, the stuff becomes the status symbol. The stuff becomes what we look for and need. But looking at Paul wanting stuff gives us a picture into how stuff is not a bad thing, it’s what we do with the stuff that matters. As Paul is sitting in his cell wanting Timothy to visit he makes a request.

2 Timothy 4:13 CSB

When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments.

Paul asks for some creature comforts. A cloak to keep warm (2 Tim 4:21 come before winter)

Scrolls and Parchments to study and continue to learn and grow as he sits in prison.

A quick heads up

After asking for these things Paul does something that all parents do. We know that Paul saw Timothy as a son in the faith so he issues a heads up.

2 Timothy 4:14–15 CSB

Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

Paul said watch out but he didn’t say attack (expound)

Alone

2 Timothy 4:16 CSB

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them.

Reading what is happening we find a strength in Paul as well as a picture of his character. I love how he says no one stood with me everyone took off (sound familiar) and yet Paul has come to an understanding he gets it and says May it not be counted against them. Their fear, and anxiety and all the things that caused them to run don’t hold it against them God. They are human they deal with things they are not complete just like I”m not complete.

But Not Abandoned

2 Timothy 4:17–18 CSB

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Paul understands here at the end more than at any other time what matters most and why he is who he is. Paul is a hero in the faith to us. Larger than life and yet to the people of his day he was a broken, mistrusted guy that had a Damascus road experience and from that day on understood that even when he felt alone he was never abandoned. That God had a purpose for him and that he was meant for more. And the more that he was meant for was not bettering things, a bigger audience, more respect from his peers. The more that Paul was designed for was to preach the gospel, to be held in the hand of God and to spend eternity with the one who made him. (expound)

This Week’s Challenge

Don’t be afraid to ask for someone’s presence if you need it.

Be present for someone that needs you.