Readings for today: Jeremiah 42:1-44:23, 2 Timothy 2:1-21, Psalms 92-93, Proverbs 26:3-5
Lesslie Newbigin was an Anglican missionary in India for decades. When he retired, he returned home to England where he spent the rest of his life speaking, teaching, and writing about the mission of God around the world. He was asked one day - based on all he had seen - if he was an optimist or a pessimist. I love his response. “I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist; Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.”
It sounds like a non-sequitur. Like Newbigin was avoiding the question. I don’t think so. After all his years in the mission field, I think his thinking simply transcended the binary categories of this world. For Newbigin, it’s not about whether the world is getting better or worse because he knows his only hope is in Christ Jesus. His only hope is in the Kingdom Jesus inaugurated on earth through his death and resurrection. He lives therefore by a different set of rules. He thinks in eternal categories. His eyes have been permanently lifted above the chaos that fills the earth to the peace that comes only from heaven.
The Apostle Paul shares Newbigin’s perspective. And he is trying to pass it on to his young protege, Timothy. “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus…Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor…Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.” (2 Timothy 2:1, 3-6, 8-10) So much of the New Testament from Jesus to Paul to Peter to James to John directs our gaze heavenward. To the place where no moth, rust, or thieves break into steal. To the place where homes are being built not made by human hands. To the place Jesus ascended in order to prepare the way for us. Heaven is the Christian’s home. This world is passing away with all its trinkets and trivialities. All its suffering and heartbreak and pain. As good soldiers in Christ, we don’t get caught up in its affairs. As God’s athletes, we are competing for a heavenly prize. As spiritual farmers, we are sowing and reaping eternal rewards.
Does this mean we forget this world? Does it mean we become so heavenly minded we are of no earthly good? Of course not. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. We are sent out to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. The good news of the gospel. Filled with God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, we work to bring God’s will, God’s way, God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. But we do so soberly. Humbly. Meekly. Always recognizing the temptation to place our hopes in our own strength. Our own wisdom. Our own effort. If we aren’t careful, we’ll start to believe our own hype. We’ll fall into the trap of thinking we can bring the Kingdom of heaven to earth without any help from the King.
This is why Paul leaves Timothy with the following admonition…“This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Remind everyone about these things…” (2 Timothy 2:11-14) Friends, our only hope in life and in death is that we belong - body and soul - to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ. No matter how life is going for you - good, bad, ugly - do not place your hope in your circumstances. Do not despair over your circumstances. Fix your eyes on Jesus and let His hope fill your heart!
Readings for tomorrow: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17, Psalms 94, Proverbs 26:6-8