Blessed Chains
Blessed Chains
Daily Reflection: 2 Timothy 2:8-9 — 11/27/2023
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. — 2 Timothy 2:8-10
Once, during Paul’s trip to Jerusalem, he was gathered with Phillip, his daughters and several others disciples. Then a prophet with rarely a positive word on his tongue showed up. His name was Agabus; here is an example of his visitations:
And coming to us, he [Agabus] took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” — Acts 21:11-14 ESV
The kind of news that cannot be chained typically lands its messenger in chains. Such messages pose a risk to the existing power structures, and since it is impossible to chain an idea, the messenger ends up bearing the punishment. This is most true of the Gospel. Several messengers of the Gospel have ended up suffering gladly for the sake of it.
It was true for Paul; in the above passage even a prophecy about his imprisonment couldn’t deter him; rather, it spurred him on even more.
It was also true of Paul’s Lord, Jesus. He came, both as the messenger and the message. And, paradoxical as it may seem, was willfully chained to the cross and in doing so sent his liberating message screaming loudly through all of eternity.
It will be true of anyone else that embraces the gospel; first they will be liberated by it, then, as it’s deliverer, they will be chained up from delivering it to others. The chains will not always be the same, there will be varying levels of severity, but this is the cost of following Jesus.
We must all carrying our crosses by being bearers of his good news. And a world full of people are sitting in chains, awaiting liberation. Perhaps through your announcing it to them.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your liberating message that sets us free as we hear and believe it. Grant that we, having been set free by your Gospel, might embrace the temporary chains that may come as we carry it to others. Until the whole world is liberated! In Jesus name. Amen.