2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV)
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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.
We’re coming to the end of the second letter to Timothy and Paul is closing things off by summing up his own ministry and in the process, he is using four different images for us to consider.
First there’s the image of being poured out. This recalls the Jewish sacrificial system where an animal was sacrificed, and then worshippers would pour drink offerings on top of it. Here, Paul is talking about his imminent death. He sees his life as being poured out through the sharing of the Gospel and the founding of all those churches during his missionary journeys.
Second, he has fought the good fight. This would recall a gladiatorial contest, but the word good brings meaning and purpose to what he has done. Gladiatorial contests were senseless acts of brutality for mindless entertainment. But here, when Paul uses the word good, the image that is conveyed is one of faithfulness in pursuit of his calling through his ministry to the Gentiles.
Third, Paul has finished the race. The phrase calls to mind an athletic contest (an image Paul uses repeatedly in his letters), but this isn’t about just winning the prize. Paul has stayed the course and finished the race he was called to run and in doing so, won the crown.
Related to this image are the interwoven images of a crown and a righteous judge. The crown comes from the Lord, the righteous judge. The imagery calls to mind a court proceeding. Paul faced several worldly judges during his ministry and will soon face others, including the emperor of Rome, but these judges are not the ones that matter. The only one who matters is Jesus, whom Paul has relied upon and placed all his trust and hope.
Finally, the image of receiving a reward. This last image would call to mind those times when a person was waiting to greet the emperor to receive an award for their services to the emperor and to Rome. For Paul, it’s all about waiting for Jesus, the true Lord above all others, for whom he has labored, suffered, loved, and worshipped.
Paul has been living his life for Jesus, not with the motivation of winning a reward, that would be a faith of works, one of doing and not being in relationship with Christ. Paul has always pointed to being in relationship with Jesus, a relationship which transformed his life and propelled him to share the Gospel with others.
That relationship and that calling is also ours in Jesus. As we pursue Jesus, the Spirit works within us, filling and empowering us to live for Jesus’ glory and honor. We’re never called to just sit idly by and wait for “something” to happen. Like Paul, we’re called to run the race and finish the course. It’s not about being first, it’s just running and finishing and in doing so we receive the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3.14)
We understand that as we run, God initiates, calls, and is the source of our energy to live for Jesus in all that we do. However, we must work hard with His energy as we relentlessly pursue our relationship with Him. We must submit to His Lordship and join Him in the Kingdom work He is doing in our midst.
So how do you see your relationship with Jesus at work in your everyday life? How do you see Him in all the tasks, work, goals, and even in your rest each day? Is the presence of Jesus working its way in and out of everything that you do?
God bless you and know that you are prayed for this morning!
Scott