In our scripture readings for today, we finish Paul's second letter to Timothy, written from a Roman prison, with Paul's time on earth drawing to a close. Paul gives Timothy NOT the rah-rah, you got this, I got this, pump-up speech of confidence that is so common today. Instead, Paul warns Timothy that things will indeed get worse, and Timothy WILL have to level up to deal with it. And, oh yeah, the letter closes with the mighty apostle Paul asking Timothy to come to Rome, to help him in his distress....
The account in the book of Exodus, of Moses confronting Pharoah, does not mention the names of Jannes and Jambres. But Jewish oral tradition gives the names Jannes and Jambres to Egyptian magicians, specifically the magicians who were able to change their walking staffs into snakes, a counterfeit to Aaron's staff that the Lord had set up as a sign. The actions of Jannes and Jambres were instrumental in Pharaoh ignoring this sign, and hardening his heart. And other traditions state that Jannes and Jambres later pretended to be Jewish proselytes, travelled with the Israelites as spies, helped incite the golden calf episode at the foot of Mount Sinai, and died among those whom the Lord killed there. Paul uses Jannes and Jambres as poster boys, of those who would use deception in the arena of faith, to wreak havoc and oppose the truth....
“In the last days, distressing times will come,” says Paul, “people will hold to the outward form of godliness, but deny its power.” They will hear and speak the Word, but they will not allow the Word to change them. They will continue in the behaviours Paul lists for Timothy in our first reading, beginning with being lovers of themselves and money, and ending with being lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. They will LOOK faithful, but they will not put up with sound teaching, turning away from listening to the truth and wandering away to myths. They will accept myths about human nature, and myths about the nature of God. And wicked people and imposters will tickle their ears, deceive them for their own advantage, to their detriment and the detriment of the truth.
But, like Timothy, we are called TO the truth! We are called to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, not through the myth of increasing human goodness, or the myth of God cancelling the concept of sin. We are called to have a true picture of ourselves. We are called to hold on to what we have learned and firmly believed from scripture, not the myth of progressivism or the myth of religious relativism. We are called to be a true witness to God in Jesus Christ. We are called to the truth of discipleship, not the myth of “being spiritual but not religious”, or the myth of “God doesn't really care if you grow.” We are called to have a faith that is true and truly matters. Like Timothy, we are called to be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and carry out our ministries fully. And as the last days approach, the temptation will grow, to put on a counterfeit faith that is easier, more appealing to Pharaoh, and does not offend the myths of our neighbours....
Paul resisted the temptation to cheapen his faith in the hopes of escaping punishment, but others around him fled. Paul learned not to rely on his fellow Christian brothers and sisters, as Demas, Crescens, and Titus abandoned him in Rome, and no one had been there for him at his first trial. So Paul requests that Timothy leave the churches of Ephesus in the capable hands of Tychicus, and come to him before winter, bringing Mark if possible. When we can, we should take advantage of the strength that comes with numbers.
But Paul knew where the primary strength to endure was coming from. He tells Timothy, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom.” Note, Paul did not expect Christ to save him from persecution, but from deception. He did not expect Christ to save him from hardship, but from despair. He did not expect Christ to save him from imprisonment, but from isolation. He did not expect Christ to save his earthly life, but his soul for God's heavenly kingdom. And Paul was confident that thanks to Jesus Christ, the crown of righteousness was reserved for him, with the amazing gift of eternal life.
We, too, can rely on the Jesus Christ we have come to know through the sacred writings of scripture, to save us from every evil attack. We can rely on Christ to strengthen us to be persistent – to convince, rebuke, encourage and proclaim the message even in this unfavourable time. We can rely on Christ to encourage us to fight the good fight, keeping the faith, until by God's call, we are told that our race is finished, and our ministry has been fulfilled, to his glory....
Gracious God, help us to level up to meet the challenges of delivering your message in this time and place. Rescue us from deception, and from every evil attack, in Jesus' name....