An Apostolic Preseason Game

Getting up to Game Speed

In order to get ready for the real games, athletes need something more than just practice. Maybe it’s a scrimmage, where you play at game speed against your teammates. But even better, are preseason games against real opponents. They may be frightfully boring for fans but incredibly necessary for the teams.

These exhibition contests may not count in the standings, but they allow you to put into practice what you’ve been working on in practice. They give coaches the chance to see what you’re doing right and what still needs work.

Jesus Coaches Them up

Did you know we get a box seats to an apostolic preseason game in Mark’s Gospel (Mk 6:7-13)? We get locker room access to see Jesus coaching up His boys and then sending them out onto the field. The team doesn’t know it yet, but the start of the regular season is right around the corner.

It’s interesting to note that this comes on the heels of Christ playing a tough home game (Mk 6:1-6). He returns to Nazareth only to have the home crowd turn on Him. They aren’t buying His claim to be God’s long promised Hero. They simply see Him as the local Carpenter. You know, Joe and Mary’s Boy.

Pregame Instructions

Actually most of what Mark describes in this next passage is actually the Lord giving His guys pregame instructions (v7-11). He assigns them each a teammate (v7), the ability to do the job (v7), the specific equipment they will need (v8-9), what to do when they get on the field (v10), and a realistic expectation of what to expect (v11).

The author only provides a brief summary of what actually happens in the game (v12-13). If you’re a sports fan, you know how difficult it can be to find details of preseason games. Sometimes you’re lucky just to find a boxscore. Same here.

A Timeless Coaching Method

After taking His boys on a teaching tour of the villages surrounding Nazareth (Mk 6:6), Jesus decides it’s time for His team to give it a try without Him. “And He called His twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits” (v7).

Mark begins by showing Jesus doing something that He’s still doing today. He calls His team in so that he can send them out. Christ’s timeless coaching method begins with bringing His followers in close.

In doing so, our Savior reveals His heart, His vision, and His strategy. Over and over, He personally demonstrates what to do. Teaching. Healing. Loving. His disciples get an up close and personal look at both the why and the how.

Jesus’ Supernatural Game Plan

Two thousand years later, He still does the same for us. After heading home to His Father in heaven, Jesus left us His playbook in the form of His Word. In it, the Lord explains His supernatural game plan. In the four Gospels, we can sit back and watch the game films of how He did it.

But the Son of God doesn’t just call His team into the locker room for an endless strategy session. Eventually He sends them out onto the field. Same with you and me. Jesus calls us in so that He can send us out.

Disciples and Apostles…What’s the Difference?

Did you know that’s the difference in referring to His crew as “disciples” and “apostles?” Jesus calls His disciples close. He sends His apostles out. We actually see that when we take a closer look at the original language in verse 7.

The word the NLT translates as “sending” is actually the Greek verb αποστελλω/apostello. Do you see it? Yup, it’s where we get the word apostle. It means to send with full authority and a particular purpose.

Capital “A” Apostles

When Christ prays for His crew the night before His crucifixion, He uses the same word when talking to His Heavenly Dad. “Just as You sent (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) me into the world, I am sending (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) them into the world” (Jn 17:18).

Just to be sure, Jesus didn’t stop sending people after sending His very first team. Oh, there aren’t any more capital “A” Apostles. Those are the guys He sent after they personally saw His resurrection. But there are lowercase “a” apostles all over the place.

He Still Sends

That’s because He’s still sending folks in His name with full authority and a particular purpose. One of those people is actually reading these words right now. Yeah, I’m talking to YOU! If you’re a follower of Jesus, He’s called you in so that He can send you out. It’s time to get on the field (Mt 28:18-20).

Our Savior gathers His people together today. For weekend worship. In small groups. In Sunday school. There’s power and encouragement when believers connect. Did you know that Jesus actually prays for this to happen. He asks His Father to make us just as close with each other as the Two of them are (Jn 17:21).

Get in the Game!

But coming together isn’t the end game. He sends each of us to get into THE Game! Jesus releases us into the world as shiners of His light and spreaders of His salt. That doesn’t happen if we never leave the holy huddle.

Teams of Two

Back inside the apostolic locker room before the exhibition game, the Lord pairs the boys in teams of two. He sends them out “two by two” (v7). Mark gives us this juicy little tidbit that we don’t see when Matt and Dr. Luke tell this same story (Mt 10:1, 5-15; Lk 9:1-6).

It’s one of the reasons why I love Mark’s Gospel. He gives you cool firsthand details we don’t see anywhere else. Where’s he getting his info? The one and only Apostle Peter. The early followers of Jesus believed the disciple Christ nicknamed Rocky actually ghostwrites the second Gospel.

It’s a Team Sport

Christ teams the boys up “two by two” (v7). What a great reminder that our faith is a team sport. Is each one of us individually accountable to God? Absolutely. But Christ places us into His Body so we won’t be alone. Remember, a sheep flying solo is an easy target for the enemy.

Working in pairs is another one of Jesus’ classic coaching methods. When the boys go out, they’re never alone. The other brother covers your backside. Teams of two provide accountability, encouragement, help, and discernment. It also meets the minimum legal requirement for testimony in court (Dt 19:15).

We’re Better Together

It’s exactly the kind of thing Solomon writes about in Ecclesiastes 4:10-12. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecc 4:10). There’s always someone there to pick you, keep you warm, and have your back. We’re better together.

Solomon reminds us that when two team up in God’s name, they’re actually like a triple-braided rope (Ecc 4:12). Who’s that Third Person? You get three guesses and the first two don’t count. Yup, none other than Jesus Himself.

Continuous Power and Authority

The Lord tells them what to do and gives them the power to do it, “giving them authority to cast out evil spirits” (v7). Matthew is a little more specific when he quotes Christ. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons” (Mt 10:8). In other words, give folks a sneak preview of God’s kingdom.

Bible experts point out that the grammar here is important. The form of the verb here tells us Jesus keeps on giving His posse continuous power and authority all through their tour. When we obey Our Savior’s instructions, He won’t leave us hanging.

ALL Authority

Jesus can give us divine authority because He’s received it straight from His Dad. “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18). Not a little. Not some. Not a big chunk. But ALL authority. A-L-L. That’s what makes Him the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

On one hand, He sends us all of us in His authority. With His full backing, “we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us” (2Cor 5:20). He sends us out to be disciple-making disciples (Mt 28:19-20).

Don’t Leave Home without It

On the other, we have absolutely no clout without Christ. Don’t believe me? Read what happens to seven brothers who get too big for their spiritual britches and try to exorcise a demon without Jesus’ authority (Acts 19:13-16). They ended up running out the front door naked and bleeding.

As Matt Chandler likes to say, anytime you start a fight wearing pants and you’re buck naked when it’s over…YOU LOST! These bros get demonically spanked because they didn’t have the Lord’s backing. Forget American Express. Jesus’ authority. Don’t leave home without it.

No Frills

For this mission, the Lord won’t let them take a lot of gear. “He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money” (v8). This is no pleasure cruise or luxury vacation. This is to be no frills, more like camping and hiking.

Jesus also limits their luggage. “He allowed them to wear sandals but not take a change of clothes” (v9). There will be no bags to check. Just a small carry on. John MacArthur points out that in the First Century a change of clothes was a status symbol. A limited wardrobe allows them to identify with the working poor.

You Are the Equipment

Take only the essentials. And the only true essentials are His authority and His message. This particular opportunity is going to be an object lesson in faith. Trust God to provide. Trust Him to provide meals. Trust Him to pay your way.

I absolutely love how the Message treats these verses. “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple” (v8-9 The Message). Alexander MacLaren puts it this way. Minimum provision calls us to maximum faith.

Pack light. Travel light. Shine the light.

Stay in Position

Jesus tells His team where to go and how long to stay there. “‘Wherever you go,’ He said, ‘stay in the same house until you leave town’” (v10). Stay in your position when you get into the game. Don’t start running randomly all over the field. Don’t go rogue. Don’t freelance.

He wants them to be smart about where they stay. Remember, there are no Comfort Inns or Radissons where they’re going. Think a bare bones AirBnB or VRBO.

Settle in and Settle down

Christ instructs them to settle in and settle down. Don’t jump from house to house. Don’t look for a better offer. It’s His way of saying true contentment comes from their relationship with Him, not their housing situation (Phil 4:12-13; 1Tim 6:6).

Staying in the same place allows them to build relationships. It’s a reminder that they’re there to serve. The Twelve are to focus on loving people well by meeting both their spiritual needs through repentance, as well as physical needs by casting out demons and healing the sick.

It Won’t Be Easy

Just before they leave the locker room, Jesus wants His boys to know that it won’t be easy. “But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate” (v11).

You don’t have to squint to see application to living on mission for Jesus today. Don’t expect to just roll your helmets onto the field and win. Expect it to be hard. Some folks don’t want anything to do with Christ or His gracious Gospel.

Making the Introduction

Remember, we’re NOT responsible for how others react to the Good News. We’re simply called to share Jesus’ offer clearly and faithfully. Our assignment is to spread the Gospel. It’s God’s job to save them. We just make the introduction. The rest is up to Him.

Does it hurt when folks you care about give you the Heisman when you offer God’s grace? You betcha. But stay cool. “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way” (v11 The Message).

Time to Take the Field

It’s time for Team Jesus to take the field for their first preseason game. “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God” (v12). They run out of the tunnel and do exactly what their Coach tells them to do.

They preach repentance. That’s a religious word that’s gotten a bad rap in recent years. At its core, repentance means turn from your sin and turn to God. Do a 180 from the broken and dysfunctional life you’ve been trying to live on your own and grab ahold of the overflowing, abundant life Jesus offers (Jn 10:10).

Stop Where You Are

The core of Christ’s message is that you and I can’t do it apart from Him. And by “it,” I mean life. He came and lived the perfect life we’ve failed to live. He came and died the death for our sin and rebellion we deserve. He came and gave us a radically new resurrection life we could never gain on our own.

God offers each of us His incredible gift of repentance. He desperately wants us to know that we can stop right where we are and turn back to Him. There’s no “getting myself cleaned up before coming back to church.” Just turn around. When you do, you’ll be surprised that Jesus has been right there waiting for this moment your entire life.

Fixing Broken Lives

The other quick highlight from this apostolic exhibition game is how Jesus uses the boys to fix broken lives, both spiritually and physically. “And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil” (v13). They stick to the Lord’s game plan He shares in back in the locker room (v7) and send Satan’s posse packing.

Medicinal Duct Tape

Our Savior also works through the disciples to restore health. Apart from the healing power of the Great Physician, their main medicine is olive oil. It’s the go-to cure-all for folks back in the First Century. Kinda like aspirin or ibuprofen for us today.

Since they clearly didn’t have carry a bottle with them when they left Jesus, they use the household oil that people have in their homes. It’s something you would find in medicine cabinet of every Palestinian home. Think of olive oil as medicinal duct tape.

Take Your Meds

In one of Jesus’ most famous parables, a guy we now call the good Samaritan provides first aid with it when helping a victim of violent crime. “The Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them” (Lk 10:34).

According to Jesus’ kid brother, church leaders are to apply olive oil meds to those who are sick as they pray for them (James 5:14). It’s a reminder of how God works through healthcare professionals. Following a physician’s orders does NOT demonstrate a lack of faith. Go to the doctor. Take your medicine.

A Sneak Preview

The application of olive oil could also be sneak preview for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. God the Father and God the Son send God the Spirit to each and every believer after Jesus heads back home to heaven (Acts 2:1-4; Rom 8:9; 1Cor 3:16; 6:19; Gal 4:6; Eph 5:18). If you follow Jesus, He’s drenched you in His Spirit.

The disciples provide healing and give us a peak behind the curtain of eternity. On the other side, God promises to put sickness and suffering in the rearview mirror once and for all (1Cor 15:42-43; Rev 21:4). No more flu shots or funerals. I, for one, can’t wait!

Hit the Road in Our Flip Flops?

So what do you and do with this passage? Do head out on assignment in Jesus’ name without a change of clothes wearing our flip flops? Do we randomly knock on doors asking if we can crash in some stranger’s guest room?

Let’s remember that the Lord still calls us in so that He can send us out. Make a point of regularly gathering with other believers. In rows at church on the weekend. In circles in small groups during the week.

But Christ doesn’t call us in so that we can stay there. He regularly sends us out into a lost and dying world. To our neighborhoods. To our jobs. Everywhere we go we’re to shine His light and spread His salt.

Pregame Jitters

Some of us probably have pregame jitters. It’s understandable to have butterflies before we leave the locker room. I’m sure Jesus’ original squad was nervous too. But He’s sending each one of us out to play our position.

Just like the Twelve did before their first preseason game, go ahead and buckle your chinstrap. It’s time to get on the field.

The Pariah and the Messiah

Searching for a Cure

Nobody has to tell you that need help. There’s just little problem. You don’t want to bother anybody. You’ve resigned yourself that your life is simply going to be miserable. Awful as it is, this is just how it’s going to be. You hate to even entertain the idea but this is probably how you’re going to die.

I mean, it’s not like you haven’t reached out for help since getting sick. You’ve searched the web for a cure, for a doctor, for a miracle. You’ve seen primary care physicians, specialists, homeopaths, and plenty of a few quacks along the way.

Out of Options

You’ve exhausted all of your options. You’ve drained your bank account and maxed out your credit card. And you’re still miserable. What’s even worse, you’ve gotten worse!

You’re not just suffering physical pain, but also the pain of loneliness. You’re an outcast in the community. You can’t even go to church. You haven’t been there in over a decade.

Maybe, Just Maybe

That’s basically sums up the situation one woman is facing in Mark’s bio of Jesus (Mk 5:25-34). But things are about to change. I mean REALLY change! She gets wind that the Miracle Worker from Nazareth is back in town. Maybe, just maybe, He’s her ticket to health.

Previously on the Gospel of Mark…

If you were binge-watching this on Netflix (and if there’s ANY story worth binging, it would be the story of Jesus…am I right?!?), this is where some golden throated big voice would say, “Previously on the Gospel of Mark…”

It all begins with Jesus’ crazy, bug eating cousin baptizing Him in the Jordan River. Suddenly the other two Members of the Trinity show up to celebrate the coming out party of the Son of God (Mk 1:1-9).

The Hot New Thing

Christ immediately beats feet into the desert where He stares down the devil for forty days (Mk 1:12-13). As He begins spreading His message about the arriving of God’s Kingdom (Mk 1:14-15; 4:1-33), our Savior assembles His ragtag team of misfits and knuckleheads (Mk 1:16-20; 2:13-14; 3:13-20).

Jesus suddenly becomes the hot new thing in Galilee (Mk 1:29, 37, 45; 2:1-2, 13; 3:7-9, 32; 4:1; 5:21, 24). He’s the teacher everybody wants to hear (Mk 1:21; 2:2). Christ heals the sick, diseased, and disabled (Mk 1:30-31, 34, 40-42; 2:3-12; 3:1-5, 10).

Upsetting the Status Quo

The Lord upsets the status quo wherever He goes. He sends demonic spirits packing every time you turn around (Mk 1:23-27, 34; 3:11; 5:1-16). He even freaks out His closest followers by shutting down a nasty, late night storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mk 5:35-40).

Because He didn’t check in with the home office in Jerusalem, all the religious muckety-mucks get their undies in a bundle. He breaks their rules by working on the Sabbath (Mk 2:23-24; 3:1-2), forgiving sin (Mk 2:5-8), feasting instead of fasting (Mk 2:18) and basically just hanging out with all the wrong crowd (Mk 2:16-17).

What’s worse, His own family thinks Jesus has lost His ever lovin’ mind (Mk 2:21; 3:31-32). Mary and the rest of the fam go so far as attempting an intervention.

A Big Crowd on the Beach

We pick things up with Jesus and His crew returning from their trip to the far side of Lake Galilee (Mk 5:21). A big crowd greets them as they arrive on the shore just outside Capernaum.

A Desperate Dad

The cheers are interrupted by a desperate dad. One of the leaders of the local synagogue, a guy named Jairus, pleads with Jesus to make a house call (Mk 5:22-24). His baby girl is at death’s door.

As Jesus, Jairus, and the rest of the mob head over to help the young lady, Mark wants us to notice someone weaseling her way to get close to Christ. The author also tells us why. “A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding” (v25).

It’s Gonna Get Messy

This part of our discussion comes with a warning label. What we’re about to talk about is very personal and extremely gross. Her bleeding is way more than just her regular menstrual cycle. She’s suffered with the so-called “time of the month” for twelve long and miserable years. Yeah, this is gonna get messy.

She’s not simply spotting. She’s bleeding BADLY. The NLT calls it “constant bleeding” (v25). You can literally translate that as “river of blood.” “Constant” is the Greek noun ρυσις/rusis. It means a steady flow of liquid in a certain direction, like the course of a river or strong current.

That’s the reason other translations refer to her problem as a severe “hemorrhage” (NASB, NRS, NET). For the past dozen years, she’s suffered from horrible menstrual bleeding. While we don’t know her exact condition, it could be anything from a chronic infection to cancer.

Religious Contamination

If her health problems aren’t enough, there’s also the religious implications. According to the Jewish scriptures (Lev 15:19-27), not only is a woman impure during her period, she remains unclean as long as she continues bleeding.

And that’s not all. She contaminates anything and anyone she touches. Her clothes. A mattress. A chair. Her husband. And she can’t go to the priest and have him ceremonially purify her until she’s stopped bleeding for seven days.

A Twelve Year Hemorrhage

This lady has lived as an outcast for twelve years. No friends. No family. No church. No physical touch. Just blood. Lots and lots of blood. Interestingly, we’ll see that she’s been hemorrhaging the same number of years that Jairus’ dying daughter has been alive (Mk 5:42).

From Bad to Worse

It’s not like this woman hasn’t tried to get help. “She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse” (v26).

And you think the American healthcare system is jacked up! She’s tried everything! Not only could doctors not heal her but they actually made her worse!! Dr. Luke diagnoses her condition as incurable and she was out of hope (Lk 8:43).

One Last Shot

As a result, she’s broken physically, financially, relationally, emotionally, and psychologically. But maybe just maybe, this radical new Rabbi/Carpenter can do something. Sure, it’s a long shot…but at least it’s a shot. One last shot.

“She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind Him through the crowd and touched His robe. For she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed’” (v27-28).

What If He Says “No”

All she’s really hoping for is a drive-by healing. She’s so broken and humiliated that she doesn’t need Jesus’ full attention. Maybe she doesn’t even want His attention. I mean, what if He says “no”?!? Most likely, she wants to keep it on the down low because she believes her touch will make Him unclean too.

Time and time again, we see people in the NT who hope for healing if they can only get their hands on the Lord (Mk 3:10; Lk 6:19). And they don’t even need to touch Him, only His clothes (Mk 6:56). That’s exactly this lady’s desperate plan. “If I can just touch His robe…” (v28).

A Supernatural Vending Machine

When we’re desperate, we can resort to the same sort of thing. Okay, maybe we’re not trying to grab Christ’s clothes. But I need to remember that the Lord isn’t some lucky rabbit’s foot. His blessing isn’t tied to whether I touch His robe, wear a cross around my neck, or light a candle at the cathedral.

We don’t rub Him like some sort of Jesus genie in a bottle who will give us three wishes. When that happens, we reduce the sovereign God of the universe into supernatural vending machine who gives us what we want, when we want, and where we want. Yeah, He doesn’t work that way.

In the Blink of an Eye

In the middle of the mob, the woman stretches her fingers out and snags the hem of Jesus’ robe. And something miraculous happens. “Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition” (v29).

In the blink of an eye and the touch of a robe, everything changes! No prescription. No “take two and call me in the morning.” IMMEDIATELY the flow of blood stopped!!

An End to the Gushing Gore

Once again, Mark describes just how gory her blood loss really was. This time he uses a word (Gr. πηγη/pege) translated “bleeding” which is normally used when talking about a spring, a fountain, or gushing liquid (Jn 4:6, 14; James 3:11-12; 2Pet 2:17; Rev 7:17; 8:10; 14:7; 16:4; 21:6).

Somehow, someway, her wound clots in a heartbeat. She could literally feel the difference. Could it be true? REALLY true?!?

Running Low on Healing Power?

At the same moment the woman can feel the change in her body, our Savior feels something too. “Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from Him, so He turned around in the the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched My robe?’” (v30).

Is the Lord worried He might be running low on supernatural power? Is He stressed that whatever just happened might drain His healing tank? Absolutely not. Christ doesn’t have a limited supply of ability. He’s not a finite power budget. His tank is always full to overflowing!

Doesn’t Jesus Know?

Anybody else scratching their head over His question, “Who touched My robe?” (v30)? As the Son of God, doesn’t Jesus know it was? I mean this IS the same Messiah who knows what people are thinking (Mt 12:25; 22:18; Mk 2:8; Lk 6:8; 11:17; Jn 2:25).

John MacArthur believes Jesus asked this question, not out of ignorance, but so that He might draw the woman out of the crowd and allow her to praise God for what had happened. In other words, the Lord knows it’s important for her to identify herself.

Think about it this way. Have you ever been embarrassed by what Jesus has done for you? Don’t be! It’s His story! Give Him the praise He deserves. Give Him the credit that rightfully belongs to HIm. It’s NOT about you! It’s ALL about HIM!!! You never know. God may use your story to convince someone else to seek His help.

They’ve ALL Touched You!

When nobody fesses up to touching Jesus’ robe, His closest followers think He should just drop it. “His disciples said to Him, ‘Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’” (v31).

According to Luke, Peter is the one telling the Lord not to worry about it (Lk 9:45). You’ve GOT to be kidding, Jesus. Look at this crowd! Who touched You? They’ve ALL touched You!

Jesus won’t let it go. “But He kept on looking around to see who had done it” (v32). He just isn’t throwing in the towel. He desperately wants to meet whoever it is. Apparently Jairus’ dying daughter will just have to wait.

Shaking Like a Leaf

Suddenly, a terrified female nervously steps forward. “Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of Him and told Him what she had done” (v33).

She’s shaking like a leaf, figuring she’s in big trouble. How dare this lady barge in on Jairus and Jesus! Her hopes of an inconspicuous drive-by healing go down the toilet. Quivering with fear and embarrassment, she collapses in the dust at the feet of Christ.

The Whole Truth

At this point, she tells the Lord her story. You can just as easily translate how she “told Him what she had done” as she “told Him the whole truth” (v33 NIV, NASB, NRS, NKJV).

The woman holds nothing back and spills her guts. And you think Elsa is famous for letting it go. She tells Jesus everything. When the bleeding started. How gross and gory it got. How she’s struggled. Even her desperate dream to get a quiet cure without bothering Him. The whole truth.

Declaring Spiritual Bankruptcy

She’s a walking example of our Savior’s opening line of His most famous message. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mt 5:3). We open ourselves up to God’s blessing when we declare spiritual bankruptcy.

This is exactly why the Lord wouldn’t just give it up and get going? He didn’t just want to heal her physically but wants the woman to experience spiritual healing as well. A key component of her cure is telling others what Christ has done for her.

Sharing Our Story Is Sharing His Story

We often hear how we are to share our story. Absolutely. But it seems to me it’s not so much mine. It’s actually His story. Once Jesus rescues me and makes me part of His spectacular narrative, I have no right keep quiet.

The story isn’t about me. It isn’t about you. Oh, it most certainly includes us, you can bet your life on that. But it’s HIS story. Pete puts it this way. “If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way” (1Pet 3:15).

It Wasn’t His Wardrobe

When she’s done sharing all that God has done for her, Jesus responds. “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over” (v34). Christ wants her to know that it wasn’t His wardrobe that made her well. It wasn’t that at all.

It’s her faith. In other words, she trusted deep down that Jesus is the very source of God’s goodness and divine healing. She had a very simple and incredibly desperate trust in Him.

Faith That’s Legit

Jesus wants her to understand that it wasn’t the touch of His robe that stopped the bleeding. It was her faith in the Son of God. Somehow, someway, she believed whatever He chose to do would be for the best. She trusted that He wouldn’t hold back.

As goofy, incorrect, and immature as her faith in Jesus was, it was genuine. It was legit. It was the real deal. What a relief! Isn’t it good to know we don’t have to know the Four Spiritual Laws, memorize the Sermon on the Mount, and possess a seminary degree before Christ will hear our cry?!?!?

Our Faith Grows

Maybe you think you don’t measure up for a meeting with the Messiah. Sorry, you need to check a few more boxes, have a better LinkedIn profile, a better religious resume first. Check back later. Don’t call us. We’ll call you.

What He wants is a relationship. He wants us to know Him as well as He knows us. As we grow in knowing Him, He grows our faith in Him.

Peace, Out

Christ gives her one very powerful command. “Go in peace” (v34). Peace. There’s something she’s not experienced for the last twelve years. The struggle has been very real. But now the struggle is over.

She can now live her life in the peace that only God can provide. It “exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). Yeah, THAT peace! Peace out!!

Your Call Is Important to Us

This lady knows that Jesus is NO take-a-number-and-I-will-get-to-you-when-I-have-a-moment God. Calling on Christ is NOT like calling customer service and getting stuck in telephone hell. “Your call is very important to us. We’re currently experiencing high call volume. We’ll connect you with the first available operator as soon as possible.”

Jesus is available NOW. I mean RIGHT NOW! THE Operator is standing by…just waiting to hear from you. He WANTS you to bother Him! He HOPES you’ll bother Him!!

If the Messiah can do it for this pariah, what do you think He can do for you?

God's Gut Reaction

Is God Paying Attention?

It happens a lot at our house. The TV is on but it’s nothing more than background noise while we do something else (Okay, I admit that we watch WAY too much television). We’re not really paying attention. Sometimes I turn it on as white noise while I take a Sunday afternoon nap. Come on, is there anything more soothing than a whispering golf announcer?

That’s the picture many of us have of God when it comes to what’s going on down here on our little third rock from the sun. He might be watching but He’s not really paying attention. He’s got the volume turned way down.

Maybe He’s doing something else, something more important. Or maybe He just doesn’t care. It doesn’t take much for us to picture our Creator catching a few Zs in a His heavenly throne that kicks back like a divine La-Z-Boy.

The Compassion Reaction

There’s only one little problem with all that. It’s not true. Not even close. God IS paying close attention. He DOES care and cares deeply. Better yet, He not only cares but is so deeply moved and invested in what’s going on that He’ll do something about it. That’s what happens when God is moved in the gut by what He sees.

God is paying attention. He cares with every fiber of His eternal being. He’s fully and passionately involved whether we know it or not. He not CAN do something about our pain and suffering…He WILL do something about it!

God’s gut reaction is compassion.

Buckle Your Seat Belt

This is exactly the point of a story Mark tells near the end of the opening chapter in his bio of Jesus (Mk 1:40-45). Man, these opening pages are action packed! There’s a LOT going on in just a few short paragraphs. Don’t open the second Gospel of the New Testament without buckling your seat belt. This rascal is the original Fast and Furious!

The story begins with holy road construction (Mk 1:1-3). Jesus’ weird bug-eating cousin John gets the crowd ready for the coming Messiah (Mk 1:4-8). When the Son of God gets baptized, the Father and Spirit join Him to make a rare public appearance by the Trinity (Mk 1:9-11).

Christ is probably still dripping with river water when He heads off to a forty-day duel with the devil in the desert (Mk 1:12-13). After staring down Satan, it’s go time for the Son of God in Galilee (Mk 1:14-15). He then begins drafting the team He’ll use to save the world by picking four commercial fishermen (Mk 1:16-20).

One Slamming Sabbath

Next thing you know, Jesus shocks the crowd at the Capernaum synagogue on the Sabbath, not only with amazing teaching but a rather raucous exorcism (Mk 1:21-28). After church, He heads to Simon and Andrew’s house and heals Simon’s mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31).

Later that evening, the Lord transforms the humble home into crowded urgent care clinic as people show up hoping Jesus will heal them (Mk 1:32-34). Instead of sleeping in the next morning, our Savior gets up at o-dark-thirty for some alone time with His Dad and to get laser-focused on His upcoming mission and message (Mk 1:35-39).

Kind of a Big Deal

Which brings to a little story we see not just in Mark but Matthew (Mt 8:1-4) and Luke (Lk 5:12-14) as well. Here’s a little tip. When three of the four biographers of Jesus include the same event, that’s a clue that this is kind of a big deal.

Matthew gives us the “when” while Luke gives us the “where.” Matt says this happens right after Jesus preaches His most famous message, the one we call the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 8:1). According to Luke, the location is one of the local Galilean villages (Lk 5:12).

The Big L

As we pick up the action back in Mark, we see someone going out of his way to get to the Son of God. “A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. ‘If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean,’ he said” (v40).

Let’s face it, we don’t exactly see a whole lot of leprosy in 21st Century America. A little plaque psoriasis maybe. A nasty case of eczema possibly. Or teenager embarrassed by their complexion. That’s about it. We don’t see commercials from a pharmaceutical company encouraging us to ask our doctor about the latest and greatest leprosy wonder drug.

But leprosy in ancient times was a HUGE health problem. First Century Jews called leprosy “the Finger of God” or “the Stroke.” While there were a long list of skin disorders that fit the label of the Big L, the worst kind was chronic, incurable, and eventually fatal. One Bible commentator calls it “the living death.” It’s known today as Hansen’s disease.

Outcasts from Society

A quick check of Scripture tells us that leprosy turns the skin white as snow (Ex 4:6; Num 12:10; 2Ki 5:27). A victim doesn’t expect any healing or relief (2Ki 5:7). Like the spiritual disease of our own sin, there’s no cure without from God’s involvement. Similar to folks with HIV/AIDS today, lepers were outcasts from society that no one wanted anywhere near them.

We don’t know this guy’s name that Mark describes but we do have a pretty good handle on his condition when he comes to Christ. Dr. Luke diagnoses the dude with “an advanced case of leprosy” (Lk 5:12). It’s bad. REALLY bad. This awful disease has probably cost him a finger or two and maybe even a foot. Let’s just say he wasn’t looking to Jesus for a little relief from a pesky rash.

A Gut Feeling about Jesus

The guy “came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed” (v40). From our perspective, it makes sense. The Rabbi/Carpenter is blowing up after that crazy day of healing in Capernaum. Surely He’s the answer. He goes all in on the Son of God. He doubles down on his belief that Christ could heal him too. He’s got a gut feeling about Jesus.

But what we may not realize is that in his desperation, the poor man totally breaks all the rules. According to the Old Testament, any sign of leprosy means quarantine and isolation (Num 5:1-4; 12:10-15). To make matters worse, someone with this dreaded disease has to warn anybody not to come near them (Lev 13:45-46).

Hopeless and Homeless

We don’t know how long he’s suffered. But put yourself in his sandals for a second. You’re body is literally and slowly rotting away. You’re forced to live outside the city. You can never hug your kids again. You can never kiss your wife again. You’re utterly lonely and completely hopeless…until you hear about Jesus!

Basically living homeless outside the city limits, you’ve come to believe that God isn’t paying attention. That He doesn’t care. He may be the Creator but He must have better things to do than spend time listening a leper’s prayers in the backwater boondocks of Galilee.

Rules, Schmules!

But that all changes when you hear the news about the miracle working Messiah making rounds in the neighborhood. You don’t realize it at the time, but your potential source of healing is actually THE Son of God. God DOES care. He cares SO much that He’s left the luxury of the heavenly palace to come on the ultimate rescue mission to heal us and save us.

And now you hear He’s headed your way. Rules, schmules! You’re going to find a way to see Him. You don’t give a hoot whether you’ve got an appointment or not. You’re hoping against all hope that Jesus is taking walk-ins! You’ve got a gut feeling He’s your best and last chance.

It doesn’t take much to picture the man stumbling as fast as he can and throwing himself on his knees before the Lord. In worship. In complete submission. In total dependance. In utter desperation. He’s out of options. The scene reminds me of what Corrie Ten Boom said. “You never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” At this point, Jesus IS all he has.

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg

Once he has Christ’s attention, he pulls no punches on his request. “If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean” (v40). He knew Jesus could. He didn’t know if He would. He knew Christ had the power. He didn’t know if He had the want to. But one thing was for sure, the man was going to ask. He was going to plead. He had absolutely nothing to lose. As the Temptations like to say, he ain’t too proud to beg!

This comes back to that core question. Do I REALLY believe He can heal me? And if I do think the Son of God’s got the goods to cure me, do I believe He’ll deliver? Do I NOT ask Him because I don’t think He can or, even worse, don’t think He cares? Is Jesus even paying attention to little ol’ me? Doesn’t He have better things to do? More important items on His divine to-do list?

A Cathartic Moment

Mark tells us that the man knows that IF Jesus wants to, “You can heal me and make me clean” (v40). The author uses a Greek word here (Gr. καθαριζο/katharizo) that the NLT translates as “heal me make me clean” which means to purify, clean, purge, rid of disease, or even make acceptable to God.

It’s where we get our word catharsis, a cleansing or purging that brings about a renewal. John Mark uses it three times in three verses in this passage. Here in verse 40. Again when Jesus responds “be healed” in the next verse. And one more time in verse 42 at the end of the treatment. But let’s not get ahead ourselves.

Splag-what?

So back to the big question. Not could Jesus, but would Jesus? We get our answer in Mark’s description of our Savior’s response. Christ is “moved with compassion” (v41). Excuse me while we drill down a bit in the original language again. This is the word σπλαγχνιζομαι/splagchnizomai, which means to feel sympathy for, experience great affection for someone, or take pity on someone.

How deep is this emotion? Check this out. The term comes from another Greek noun (Gr. σπλαγχνον/splagchnon) which actually means bowels, intestines, or internal organs. Back in ancient times, your innards were thought to be the seat of deep love and all passionate emotion.

Moved to His Core

The man’s disease and desperate request punches Jesus in the gut. The Lord has a visceral reaction to his situation. He’s moved to His holy core. His stomach turns at the sight.

God’s gut reaction is compassion!

The Compassion of Christ

It’s important to note that the only time we see it in the New Testament is when the writers are talking about Jesus or when He’s telling a parable describing His Heavenly Dad. Here are a few examples.

The Son of God has a gut reaction when the people are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9:36; Mk 6:34). It happens when He sees the massive crowd coming to Him from the surrounding cities (Mt 14:14). One more time when another huge audience is starving after a three-day lakeside Bible study (Mt 15:32; Mk 8:2).

It doesn’t take a big crowd to rock Christ to His core. It happens when he meets two visually impaired men near Jericho who desperately want to see again (Mt 20:34). There’s the time when a heartbroken dad pleads with Jesus to do something to help his demon-tortured son (Mk 9:22). Once again when He sees a widowed mother in a funeral procession for her recently deceased son (Lk 7:13).

Compassion in the Parables

When Jesus tells the story of the unforgiving employee, the worker’s original boss “was filled with pity (Gr. σπλαγχνιζομαι/splagchnizomai) for him, and he released him and forgave his debt” (Mt 18:27). In the parable of the kindhearted Samaritan, this despised foreigner is the only one whose heart breaks for the man who had been mugged and left for dead on the side of the road (Lk 10:33).

Then there’s the famous story of the faithful father and his two knucklehead sons. The dad is overwhelmed with compassion that he sprints off the porch to meet the one son who returned in repentance (Lk 15:20). The big idea? There’s no one more deeply moved by our situation than God Himself.

Sympathy, Empathy, and Compassion

Don’t get compassion confused with sympathy or empathy. Sympathy is pity for somebody else’s problems. Empathy is the ability to relate to somebody’s situation vicariously. But compassion is both an understanding of someone else’s pain AND the desire to do something about it in someway.

Our Savior certainly understands and relates to our situation. That’s what His incarnation is all about. It’s the point of Jesus being our priest. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin” (Heb 4:15).

But Christ doesn’t simply care. He has the desire to do something about it. On some level, the man understands the truth we read in Hebrews. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Heb 4:16).

God’s gut reaction is compassion.

Jesus Reaches out

Which brings us back to the leper’s dermatological appointment with the Great Physician in Galilee. Jesus’ instinctively responds to him with love and care. As a result, He’s moved to do something. “Jesus reached out and touched him” (v41). Yeah, that’s right, Jesus reaches out and touches him!

For someone in the first century with a diagnosis of leprosy, this is the last thing you would expect to happen. Reach out and touch? No way. More like turn around and run. Lepers commonly had to dodge rocks from from folks trying to scare them away. Jesus reaching out to touch was totally unexpected.

It’s My Pleasure

But the radical Rabbi/Carpenter did just make loving contact with him, He responds to his request. “‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be healed!’” (v41). Jesus not only wants to heal, He’s going to heal! I love how the Bible in Basic English translates the Lord’s reply. “It is My pleasure; be made clean” (v41 BBE).

In other words, we’re not wasting Jesus’ time when we ask. He looks forward to helping us. He’s SO glad when we ask! We’re not bothering Him. It’s no inconvenience. It’s not a hassle. He loves when we come to Him and invite Him to be involved. Why?

God’s gut reaction is compassion.

Immediate Healing

Jesus wastes no time getting down to business. “Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed” (v42). The Son of God doesn’t write the guy a prescription for a topical ointment and tell to apply twice a day for two weeks. He heals him. Immediately. On the spot. Christ liberally applies the love of God and miraculously cures him.

For the tenth time in his opening chapter, we see Mark use favorite adverb ευθεος/eutheos. It describes something that happens immediately, at once, straightaway, next, and indicates the immediate event in a sequence.

The author uses a form of this word eleven times in chapter one for a grand total of more than 40 times the second Gospel. That’s more than the rest of the New Testament combined! Think the Bible is boring? Then you need to read Mark’s bio of Jesus. It’s more like a non-stop action flick.

He WANTS Us to Ask

Will Jesus give you and me instantaneous healing like the leprous man in Mark? I honestly don’t know. But here’s what we DO know. He cares and He can. We don’t know until we ask Him. He WANTS us to ask. He loves when we invite Him to get involved.

There are times when He has a reason to delay our healing. Take Paul for example (2Cor 12:5-9). He begged God repeated to rid him of an unnamed pain. But Jesus told him this particular pain has a specific purpose. The Lord allowed it in order to keep the apostle humble. Each time Paul asked, Jesus’ response was the same. “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2Cor 12:9).

Delayed Response

In other words, sometimes Jesus’ compassion is actually the reason His response is delayed. Say what?!?! As with Paul, the Son of God is more concerned with my holiness than my happiness. His healing is anything but a one-size-fits-all kinda deal. Christ probably won’t do for me what He’s done for you. Maybe He will. One thing that is for sure is His compassion.

God’s gut reaction is compassion.

Where’s MY Compassion?

Here’s where I need to press “pause” and ask myself some hard questions. Do I have sympathy and empathy for those who are suffering? Does my heart break for those in pain? What’s more, do I have compassion for others? I may not be Jesus but there are plenty of times when I can do something to help. That’s what being the church is all about, isn’t it? Isn’t it?

Working through Established Channels

At this point, Jesus tells the guy how he should spread the word to anyone and everyone about the miracle. Not. Pretty much the opposite. Christ warns him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed” (v43-44).

Jesus has a very specific audience He wants to hear the news. The local priest. He’s telling the man to follow the instructions God gave Moses about being cleansed from leprosy (Lev 14:2-32). The Son of God wants the word of the healing to get out through His Father’s established channels. It’s important that the priest knows Jesus’ ministry is legit!

Staying on Schedule

There’s another important reason for our Savior to keep a lid on what’s going on in Galilee. He has a three-year timetable. He needs to stay on schedule. If word gets back to the religious leaders and Roman politicians that the REAL King of the Jews has made the scene, things are going to get messy in a big hurry.

“But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened” (v45). Well, so much for keeping things on the down low. It just goes to show you that everything in the Bible isn’t all buttoned up. It’s not all smooth sailing.

This is what happens when God interacts with imperfect people like you and me. Too many times, we ignore His instructions. We think we know better than the One who knows everything. We make the mistake of getting ahead of God and forcing our agenda on Him. FYI, that never works out well for you and me.

Going Gaga in Galilee

The next thing you know, Galilee’s going gaga over the Son of God. “As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and He couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to Him” (v45).

Christ has to change His game plan. He calls an audible. There’s a lot more camping involved because of the buzz. But that certainly doesn’t dampen His demand. Folks flock to find the Lord wherever He is. Despite it all, Jesus doesn’t turn anyone away.

That’s because God’s gut reaction is compassion.

©2017 

Jay Jennings

Winter Is Coming

“Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers” (2Tim 4:20-21).

Game of Thrones

All cards on the table. I’ve never watched or read “Game of Thrones.” But since the medieval franchise is unavoidable, I couldn’t help but think of one of the show’s famous lines when reading the end of Paul’s last letter to Timothy.

Winter is coming.

A quick Google search tells me this line is from the very first episode of GoT. It’s the motto of the House of Stark. It has everything to do with warning of coming danger. It has little to do with the weather forecast.

Paul the Prisoner

As we flip over from HBO to the New Testament, we find Paul in prison (2Tim 1:8, 16; 2:9). Sitting in the dark dungeon of Rome’s Mamertine Prison, he fully realizes his execution date is right around the corner (2Tim 4:6-7).

Lots of people a whole lot smarter than me think the apostle is writing to Timothy during the fall of 67 AD. For the man Jesus used to compose a huge chunk of what we call the New Testament, these are some of his very last words of his very last letter.

Paul picks up his pen this final time for a pair of purposes. First of all, he’s passing the torch of ministry to the young pastor in Ephesus (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Second, he pleads his spiritual son to hurry and see him one last time (2Tim 4:9, 21). Why?

Winter is coming.

An Update on the Old Crew

As the apostle signs off in these final sentences, he lets Tim know what some of the old crew is up to. “Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who as ill, at Miletus” (v20). They were all members of Paul’s travel team back in the day. Timothy will certainly appreciate the latest on his friends.

Tim and Erastus are boys. They knew each other well. They’ve been on the road as a dynamic duo for Jesus. During his three-year stay in Ephesus on his second tour, Paul taps these two members of his team for a trip to Europe. “And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while” (Acts 19:22).

Sharing the Load

What a great reminder that God doesn’t expect us to be a one-man band when serving our Savior. Paul trusted the Lord to work through guys like Tim and Erastus. The whole deal didn’t hang on his apostolic shoulders.

How about you? Do you share the responsibilities of the mission with others? Or do you have the mistaken belief that nobody but you has what it takes to share the Gospel and love folks like you? If so, get over yourself. Ministry is a team sport.

Rich Corinthian History

In this last letter to Timothy, the apostle gives Erastus last known location as Corinth. Ah yes, Corinth. It’s the infamous port city just south of Athens on the southern tip of what we know today as Greece. I’m not sure about leather, but there is a rich Corinthian history in Scripture.

Paul hit Corinth on that same second expedition (Acts 18:1). It’s where he met the power couple of Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2). Jesus uses these three to reach many Corinthians with His message of grace (Acts 18:8) and plant an important church there.

Off the Rails

But after the apostle eases on down the road, the church in Corinth goes off the rails. Paul ends up writing them several letters to try and get them back on track. Two of them, what we’ve labeled 1st and 2nd Corinthians, give us a glimpse inside one very jacked up congregation.

So what does Corinth have to do with Erastus? So glad you asked. Near the end of his letter to believers in Rome, the apostle tells us that the Big E holds a job in city government. “Erastus, the city treasurer” sends his best to the Roman followers of Jesus (Rom 16:33).

This would explain why he “remained at Corinth” (20). Because Erastus lived and worked there. The word the ESV translates as “remained” (Gr. μενω/meno) means to abide, stay, live, dwell, or permanently endure. Clearly Corinth is his home.

Perfectly Positioned by God

Paul’s description of Erastus situation is a subtle reminder that we don’t have to leave our jobs in order to follow Jesus. Becoming a disciple doesn’t mean an automatic call to become a pastor. That’s the apostle’s point when he tells believers in Corinth to stay just where they are (1Cor 7:20).

Before we start filling out our seminary application, we’d probably better slow our roll. There’s a pretty good chance God has positioned you perfectly in the marketplace to shine His light and spread His salt. Being missional means being a missionary right where you are.

Just as Erastus remained in Corinth, our default should be to remain right where we are. If you’re in a job that requires you to compromise your faith in Christ, that’s a different story. More often than not, we need to hold our spot and let the Holy Spirit open our eyes to the opportunities where we already are.

A Disciple on the Disabled List

Next Paul mentions one member of his team who’s on the disabled list. “I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus” (v20). There are few things worse than getting sick when traveling. If that’s happened to you, let’s just say the T Man feels your pain.

Trophimus is a good buddy of Tychicus. He’s the guy who Paul sends to Ephesus, probably delivering this very letter Tim is reading (2Tim 4:12). Dr. Luke describes these two as “the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus” (Acts 20:4). This means he is from somewhere in Asia Minor, better known today as Turkey.

Trophimus from Ephesus

Later in Acts, the good doctor gets a little more specific about this guy’s hometown when he calls him “Trophimus the Ephesian” (Acts 21:29). Did you know he’s the reason Paul’s Jewish opposition flies off the handle in Jerusalem. They freak out when they think the apostle broke the rules by bringing this Gentile into a Jews only part of the temple.

This results in a huge riot at the temple that lands Paul in Roman custody for a grand total of five years (Acts 21:30-34). During his incarceration, he uses this time to write letters to churches in Ephesus, Colossae, Philippi, as well as his buddy Philemon.

Too Sick to Travel

While we don’t know the exact diagnosis of Trophimus’ sickness, the apostle makes it clear that he’s too sick to travel. Paul uses a Greek verb translated as “ill” (Gr. ασθενεω/astheneo) means to be weak, be sick, incapacitated, unable, or feeble. It literally means “no strength” or “not strong.”

That being the case, the apostle has to leave him in Miletus. This is a small seaport on the west coast of Asia Minor, just about 63 miles south of Ephesus. On his way back to Jerusalem on his third tour, Paul made a quick stop in Miletus for an emotional meeting with the elders of the Ephesian church (Acts 20:17-38).

Visiting the Sick

Trophimus may well have been traveling with Paul just prior to his arrest. Many signs point to that going down in Troas, which is just up the coast. That’s where the apostle left his coat, his Bible, and other important papers at Carpus’ house (2Tim 4:13).

If Trophimus is sick in Miletus, he would be close enough for Timothy to reach out to him from Ephesus. Pastor Tim could love on his old friend just as Jesus tells the Twelve. Remember, when we take the time to visit the sick, we’re also worshiping our Savior (Mt 25:36).

Paul’s Power to Heal

Whatever was going on, Trophimus wasn’t strong enough to leave town. So Paul left him behind. But wait just a New York minute. Didn’t God give the apostle the power to heal? For Pete’s sake, he raised Eutychus from the dead after he fell asleep and fell out a window during Paul’s midnight message in Troas (Acts 20:7-12).

Folks even used pieces of clothing that Paul touched to cure what ailed them (Acts 19:12). After the big shipwreck on Malta, he healed the father of a local powerbroker as well as many other residents (Acts 28:8-9).

Disease in Our Broken World

But there were clearly limits on his supernatural healing abilities. Epaphroditus nearly died when he visited Paul in prison (Phil 2:25-30). Don’t forget how he tells Timothy to take a few sips of merlot for his intestinal issues (1Tim 5:23). And Paul couldn’t heal himself when he had health problems (Gal 4:13-15; 2Cor 12:7-10).

What’s the takeaway? People get sick. We need to remember that we live in a fallen and broken world (and we’re the ones who broke it!). Sickness, disease, and disability are a very sad reality.

Good Men in Poor Health

While the Holy Spirit gives the power to heal (1Cor 12:9), it’s God’s call on when and where He allows it to be used. The great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon boldly stated, “It is the will of God that some good men should be in poor health.”

Should we ask the Great Physician to heal those who are sick? You betcha! Regularly. Confidently. But He won’t heal everyone on this side of eternity. Many of us won’t experience the ultimate cure until we ditch this earth suit for one of those spectacular resurrection bodies!

A Plea So Nice Paul Makes It Twice

After important updates on a couple of team members, Paul makes one final plea. “Do your best to come before winter” (v21). This is the SECOND time the apostle begs Tim to come see him before it’s too late. Just a few verses before, he writes, “Do your best to come to me soon” (2Tim 4:9). Let’s just say the man from Tarsus is anything but unclear.

Winter is coming.

The apostle pleads with Tim to “do your best” (v21) and get to Rome immediately. He uses the verb σπουδαζω/spoudazo, which describes making haste, being eager, exerting yourself, doing something in a hurry, and giving it everything you’ve got. It emphasizes the zeal to get something done right now.

Beat Feet!

Paul’s not being passive aggressive and saying, “Hey dude, if you have the time.” He’s not making a suggestion or dropping a hint. Not even close. His cards are on the table. Not once. But twice.

The root of σπουδαζω/spoudazo ισ actually the Greek term for “foot” (Gr. πους/pous). In other words, Paul is telling the young preacher to move your feet! Hurry! Don’t walk…RUN!! From the apostle’s perspective, Tim can’t get to Rome fast enough. Why?

Winter is coming.

Winter Travel Advisory

Instead of issuing some veiled warning like Lord Stark in “Game of Thrones,” the apostle is simply looking at the calendar as well as his impending execution. He desperately wants to see Timothy before he dies and before nasty winter weather makes travel on the Mediterranean almost impossible.

Winter is coming.

Paul knows sailing that time of year can be hazardous to your health. He no doubt has vivid memories of that nasty shipwreck on Malta a few years back during a winter voyage (Acts 28:9-44). While he REALLY wants to see Tim, the apostle doesn’t want his protege taking ridiculous chances in the process.

Winter is coming.

Don’t Drag Your Feet

With the mercury dropping, Paul has already asked Timothy to swing Troas on grab the coat he left with Carpus (2Tim 13). As if sitting in the cold, damp dungeon of the Mamertine Prison wasn’t bad enough, winter temps in Rome are only in the mid forties.

Winter is coming.

But the most urgent fact is the apostle knows his date with the executioner is right around the corner. If Tim drags his feet, he won’t make it in time. History is a bit fuzzy on the exact date of Paul’s death. It’s sometime between the time he sent this letter in the autumn of 67 AD and spring of 68 AD. He no doubt died before Nero committed suicide in June 68.

Winter is coming.

When the Door Is Cracked and Closing

There are some opportunities that come with a very tight limitations. The door is cracked open ever so slightly…and it may well be closing. That’s what Timothy is looking at. It’s what we often face. Many times, I need to move and I need to move now. The clock is ticking.

Winter is coming.

Here’s the painful truth, no decision IS a decision. Sure, sometimes we need to wait. Sometimes we have to wait. But we need to realize there are also critical moments when we’ve gotta go and we’ve gotta go NOW! We can’t be victims of paralysis by analysis. There are times when the clock is ticking. Don’t. Miss. Your. Chance.

Winter is coming.

Tim’s Friends Say “Hey”

After telling Tim to beat feet before it’s too late, he quickly passes along a “hello” from a few more friends. “Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers” (v21). Where really not sure who they are or why they get a random mention near the end of the letter. They’re clearly in Rome and close to both Paul and Tim.

Eubulus’ name is Greek and means the wise decision or smart choice. To speculate any further would be stupid (see what I did there?). It’s the only time we find his name in Scripture. Same for Pudens, Linus, and Claudia.

These last three folks all have Latin (i.e. Roman) names. There’s a little evidence that Pudens might be some sort of power player in politics, possibly a senator or the son of one. Some folks believe he was also a buddy of Peter who also baptized him. There’s a belief he was also executed by Nero about the same time as Paul.

Two Men and a Lady

There’s no indication that this particular Linus carried a blanket, sucked his thumb, and knew Charlie Brown. The early church leaders Irenaeus and Eusebius both mention him as an important follower of Jesus. He apparently was a big dog (possibly the first bishop/overseer) among Roman believers.

Claudia is the only lady in Paul’s last list. Some scholars seem to think she and our boy Pudens eventually become husband and wife. If so, there reason Paul does not link There are a few shreds of evidence suggesting she was born a Briton and into some level of privilege.

Whatever the case, these folks put their lives on the line for Paul and the cause of Christ at a time when it was deadly to do so. A follower of Jesus was an enemy of the state. While American culture is clearly no longer Christian, calling what we face as persecution is just a bit of a stretch.

The Long Range Forecast

Our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world can certainly identify with Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and the others. For them, winter is already here.

You can be sure that Paul never watched “Game of Thrones.” But there’s little doubt he would agree with the fictitious Lord Stark. Winter is coming. Timothy needed to hurry. Death was around the corner. However, the apostle also knew the long range forecast.

Winter may be coming. But you can take this to the bank. Jesus IS coming back.

©2017 Jay Jennings