Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: June 25, 2023

Bulletin June 25, 202

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

This was now the second time Paul was in prison in Rome.  The first time, Paul had written a letter to the Philippians while in prison.  At that time, Paul was under a sort of “house arrest.”  Visitors could come and go.  Paul confessed to the Philippians that he fully expected to be released and even be able to come and visit them.  And all that turned out to be true.

But the second time it was different.  This time Paul would write that he is now chained like a criminal (2 Timothy 2:9). When a friend named Onesiphorous came to Rome to visit Paul at this time, Paul says Onesiphorous had a difficult time even finding Paul.  Tradition tells us Paul was being held in the infamous Mamertine prison.  Paul relates that at his first court appearance, things had not gone well (2 Timothy 4:16).  Paul knew this time was different.  He knew he was not going to be released this time.  He had reached the end of the line.  He knew he was soon going to die as a martyr for Jesus.

And so he takes quill in hand and writes a letter to his dear friend – Paul would even call him his “son” – and co-worker, Timothy.  And in this letter, Paul – who often used sports metaphors to talk about the faith – reflects upon things as A Runner Nearing the Finish.

Paul’s opening words show us that he realizes he is near the end.  He uses another figure of speech.  One that Timothy would surely understand because of his Jewish heritage.  Paul says, I am already being poured out like a drink offering (v. 6).  The drink offering in the Old Testament was a liquid sacrifice.  The offerer would dump out a prescribed amount of wine at the altar of the Lord along with a burnt offering.  Paul compares himself to that.  Paul is anticipating that his blood will be “poured out” in death.  Sitting in chains and in squalor in jail, Paul says the pouring has begun.  [T]he time of my departure has come. (v. 6)  The word he uses for “departure” means “unloosing.”  Like a ship set loose before it sails, Paul is soon to be “cut loose” from this world.

As he nears the end, he reflects.  He reflects on his 30+ years as a Christian.  The metaphor changes.  Now he speaks as a runner.  I have fought the good fight. (v. 7)  Now, that may sound more like MMA or boxing talk.  But the words used refer to any athletic contest where the athlete strains and struggles to endure and finish.  Paul says he fought the “good” one.  The struggle, the strain of the Christian life is good and noble and beautiful.  Straining, fighting against the sin inside of us that any moment wants to break forth and take control, is a “good fight.”  Fighting against the temptations of the devil that he so cleverly packages and presents every day, is a “good fight.”  Struggling, straining, fighting against the “constant creep” of the world with its godless ideas and ideals in our own hearts and our own homes, Paul says is a “good fight”!

Paul says, I have finished the race (v. 7)  In that other letter Paul wrote from prison, he had said to the Philippians, Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, I press on toward the goal. (Philippians 3:13-14)  You can picture in your mind what Paul describes.  The runner on the course, head steady, eyes forward, arms pumping, breathing deeply, legs striding.  Disciplined and focused.  That’s Paul describing himself!  And in our text he is saying, “I have just come around the last turn! I can now see the finish line!”

And then he makes this comment.  I have kept the faith (v. 7).  His words remind us of running a relay.  In a relay, a number of runners run, handing a baton to the next runner.  And in order to finish the race, the final runner MUST cross the finish line with the baton.  If you drop a baton on an exchange, you’re done.  Paul says that he has kept the faith.  As he nears the end of the race, that “baton” of faith is tightly in Paul’s hand.  The truth that had been passed to him, he kept.  His hold was firmly on Jesus.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15)  That is the “faith” Paul has kept!

And now Paul looks ahead to crossing the finish line.  From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness.  The Lord, the righteous Judge, will give it to me on that day. (v. 8)  The “crown” Paul expects is the victor’s crown.  The winner in ancient Greek games did not get a gold medal or a blue ribbon, they got a laurel leaf crown.  Can you picture it?  Paul on the podium.  Jesus, the ultimate race Judge, placing the leafy crown on Paul’s head.

Before you object, “Hey, that’s not fair!  Paul should not get the righteousness of heaven!  He’s a cheater!  I call foul!” Jesus in our text is called the righteous Judge (v. 8).  This is all on the “up-and-up.”  This is right.  This is fair.  Paul does not expect the crown on the basis of merit.  He trusts in Jesus, who died for him and rose again, and gives the crown by grace.  It was Paul who wrote, Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:57) The crown is grace…pure grace!  This is God being faithful to his promise, Be faithful to the point of death and will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)  Nothing unjust in that.

Paul, even as he speaks very personally here, is ever the preacher.  And his last words involve YOU.  Of the crown Jesus will give to him Paul says, …and not only to me but also to everyone who loved his appearing. (v. 8)  That’s you!  You loved Jesus appearing!  You love that God’s Son appeared in this world!  You love that Jesus was born and lived and died and rose!  You love all of that!  Because of Jesus’ appearing, you are fighting the good fight and are running the race today!  By God’s grace you will finish the race keeping your faith in the appearing of Jesus you love so much.  And when we near the end, let’s finish strong, like Paul!  So that on the day you meet Jesus, he will give to you the crown of righteousness, the crown of victory, just like he did for Paul on the day Paul came across the finish line.

Amen.