Hello and welcome to Thursday’s podcast. How good has the sunshine been this week? Thank you Lord for Spring! Our passage today is 2 Timothy 2: 8-13. We are going to focus on verses 8-9:

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

REFLECTION:

Today, I want us to think about the power of words. As primary school children we were probably all once taught the old rhyme, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words may never hurt me.’ Whilst it may be a good little mantra to mutter to ourselves when people are being rude – the reality is words do hurt. Our words matter. They have the power to encourage, inspire, build up and bring comfort. In the same instant, they also have the power to wound, to damage and to tear others down. What we say be it in person or online, through social media for example, it all matters. As disciples we are to look to choose our words wisely. But it’s not just about what we say, it’s also about whose words we listen to that also matters greatly.

As we read this letter, it’s important to remember the context here. Paul is writing to Timothy from prison where he is awaiting execution. And whilst he’s in that prison cell, Paul has had plenty of time to pray and to reflect on his life and what he’s learned. Paul offers this reflection to Timothy, ‘Remember Jesus Christ’. How basic is that, we think? Timothy was a minister of the Gospel. It’s not like he was suddenly going to forget about Jesus. But, I think, what Paul is saying here goes beyond the literal and takes him into the realm of faith. Paul is seeking to remind Timothy that, in the struggle and the challenges he faced, that it’s God word he should cling on to. Paul puts it like this:  ‘I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.’

Paul encourages Timothy that in a world that was, and let’s face it still is, hostile to the Gospel message, God’s word cannot be constrained and that its power is greater than that of any prison wall or iron chain. Throughout history the church it would seem has always grown under persecution and confinement – right from the very beginning in Acts when Paul himself (then Saul) was ravaging the church in Jerusalem, to now – to modern day China – following Communist persecution of believers – the church has grown to such a point there that many believe it will soon overtake America as the greatest Christian nation on Earth. God’s word cannot be contained.

But let’s remember here Paul is talking to his apprentice Timothy. The two were so close it was as if it were a father talking to their son. What he offers his child in faith here is deeply personal, something that he has known to be true the whole time that he has been locked up in jail. For Paul personally, God’s word was what he clung to in the darkest of times. The promise in scripture that though we may die – and for Paul this was very a real reality – in Christ we will ultimately overcome. It’s interesting that Paul, at the end of this passage, passes on to Timothy an ancient Christian proverb of sorts. Perhaps one he too muttered under his breath during his period of incarceration.

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;
 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself

For us today, we may not find ourselves chained up for our faith but perhaps we are all now – as UK enters lockdown mode – beginning to feel something more of what confinement actually feels like. For us in these times the encouragement is just the same as that which Paul offers Timothy – cling onto God’s word… because his word cannot be tied down.

I woke up this morning – the day after Boris delivered the address to the nation describing the restrictions that now would be placed on everyday life – and the first thing I read on my phone was this verse from John 16: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. [I don’t think that any of us listening need much convincing of the truth in that statement right now] But take heart! I have overcome the world.

In these times when it feels like everything we used to know and take for granted as normal is now suddenly gone, we need signposts to help us navigate a path through. More so than ever in these times we need to grab hold of God’s word and cling hard to the promise that is in scripture. And as we do so take hold of the hand of Jesus – the one who will lead us through.

What is God saying to you today through his word today? And in this time when we are learning more and more about how important connection is – how and who could we pass this on to – that they too might take heart and continue to trust in Jesus for all that this new day brings.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your word. Thank you that faith comes through hearing the word – the word about Jesus. And we pray Lord in these days ahead that as we dig further and deeper into your word that we would know the hope that is in Jesus and take heart knowing ultimately you have and will overcome. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

BIBLE READING: 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Here is a trustworthy saying: