The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:8,
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David."
Here is something that can be viewed as astonishing. Paul asks Timothy to "Remember Jesus Christ..."! I find it startling to see Paul tell Timothy to remember the Lord.
I am certain Paul's exhortation to Timothy to do so is with the view of insuring Timothy keeps Jesus Christ front and center in his thinking, in his teaching, in his theology and in his life. It is not just Timothy that is asked to remember the Lord, we are all asked to do so.
As startling as it may be that we are exhorted to "remember" the Lord, it must be an important point for all of us. After all, as we celebrate communion, we are asked to so in remembrance of the Lord, "The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.
Jesus Christ came to planet earth to die a miserable death to pay the penalty for my sins - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ extended his invitation to me to join his family - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ came to make a way for me to eternal life - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ has extended an incomprehensible love to me in offering to share his inheritance from God the Father with me - how could I ever forget him?
Yet, sadly, I have to admit there are times when it seems my mind is miles from him. Things come up during the day, my mind goes to other places and after a while the thought may strike me, "Oh, yeah... what an amazing thing the Lord has done for me!" He "drifts" back into my conscious awareness. I need reminding!
Timothy faced opposition from false teachers. He had his things to do in the execution of his responsibilities as a member of Paul's team. I suspect he was pushed and pulled in a variety of ways by those he worked with. He was to maintain good doctrine and live a life pleasing to the Lord, "Watch your life and doctrine closely." 1 Timothy 4:16.
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David."
Here is something that can be viewed as astonishing. Paul asks Timothy to "Remember Jesus Christ..."! I find it startling to see Paul tell Timothy to remember the Lord.
I am certain Paul's exhortation to Timothy to do so is with the view of insuring Timothy keeps Jesus Christ front and center in his thinking, in his teaching, in his theology and in his life. It is not just Timothy that is asked to remember the Lord, we are all asked to do so.
As startling as it may be that we are exhorted to "remember" the Lord, it must be an important point for all of us. After all, as we celebrate communion, we are asked to so in remembrance of the Lord, "The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.
Jesus Christ came to planet earth to die a miserable death to pay the penalty for my sins - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ extended his invitation to me to join his family - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ came to make a way for me to eternal life - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ has extended an incomprehensible love to me in offering to share his inheritance from God the Father with me - how could I ever forget him?
Yet, sadly, I have to admit there are times when it seems my mind is miles from him. Things come up during the day, my mind goes to other places and after a while the thought may strike me, "Oh, yeah... what an amazing thing the Lord has done for me!" He "drifts" back into my conscious awareness. I need reminding!
Timothy faced opposition from false teachers. He had his things to do in the execution of his responsibilities as a member of Paul's team. I suspect he was pushed and pulled in a variety of ways by those he worked with. He was to maintain good doctrine and live a life pleasing to the Lord, "Watch your life and doctrine closely." 1 Timothy 4:16.
In the midst of all Timothy was involved in, in the midst of all we get involved in, even in "church stuff" (and, maybe particularly in "church stuff") we need to be sure we are always mindful of the Lord. We need remembrance of his love, his suffering on our behalf, the joy and hope we have in him and the remarkable inheritance we share with him.
Remember the Lord!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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