Thursday, December 12, 2024

           Paul had great affection and appreciation for Timothy.  Paul was a spiritual father to a younger Timothy.  Two of our books in the Bible are Paul’s letters to Timothy.  Simply reading those letters allows us to see how important Timothy was to Paul and how deep was their friendship and relationship with each other.  And it was a shared love for and devotion to Christ that brought them together.  In his first letter to young Timothy, the older apostle wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).  That’s a rare moment of transparency, humility and honesty for anyone.  The usual human inclination is to justify, defend or explain away our sins rather than owning them.  But not Paul!  He called himself the “worst” of all sinners.
            We may not think much about sin during the Christmas season.  We tend to direct our attention to Bethlehem, a baby in a manger and the birth of Jesus.  But Jesus came to seek and save the lost—sinners of all sizes, stripes and scales.  Whether we fancy ourselves to be the “worst” of all sinners or something more ordinary and run-of-the-mill, we do recall that a Savior has come and been born for us and all sinners.  We can celebrate that good news.  Christ, the embodiment of grace and mercy, was born to die so that through His death we might live.  His death brings life to us.  He died the death we should have died and lived the life we could not live. 
            These days leading to the birth of Jesus allow us a chance to look at ourselves in four possible ways.  First, perhaps like Paul, you realize your need for a Savior.  You see the depth and weight of your sins.  Hear the good news—there is a Savior!  And this Savior can save all who come to Him in surrender and faith.  You can know Jesus personally and immediately.  Second, maybe you have gotten lost in the trimmings and trappings of Christmas and simply forgotten the reason why a Son has been born for us.  He came to seek and save the lost.  It may be time to acknowledge the joys of forgiveness, grace and new life with some profound gratitude and thanksgiving!  Third, maybe life has been difficult this year.  The burdens and battles have taken a toll.  It could be time to unload and release those battles to Christ.  He can be trusted with the things we don’t understand or find ourselves too weak to handle.  And fourth, maybe you can share the good news of Christ with others.  The shepherds in the Christmas story talked about what they had seen as they shared the good news widely.  Luke says these shepherds “spread the word.”  We can do the same today.  This good news of Jesus’ birth still needs to be shared and proclaimed.
            One verse later in 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul wrote, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”  Christians are signs for Christ.  We are illuminated, animated, living and breathing advertisements for grace and truth.  We are living letters that detail how Christ can change the worst of us and set us free from the sins and snares that have held us captive to Satan for far too long.  We have been set free from the empire of darkness to live forever in the gracious Kingdom of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Now, that is news worth telling.  Whether you see yourself as the chief of all sinners or a sinner-turned-saint who has been saved by grace, the Christmas story is for you.  It can call you to the side of Christ for the first time to be forgiven or to give thanks for the forgiveness that you have already received.  May Christ be magnified!  Have a great Thursday!