passing on

2 Timothy 1:3&4

"3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;"

We are created to glorify God and to enjoy God forever. Jesus told His Disciples to spread the Gospel message in their city - Jerusalem, their state- Judaea, their neighboring country - Samaria, and the rest of the world! The early Church experienced persecution that motivated early Christians to leave their homes and go "abroad." This helped spread the Gospel message.

Yesterday we turned to another letter written by Paul as he was locked up in a Roman prison. He knew he would be executed soon and wrote to his trusted protégé, Timothy. They had a close relationship. Paul thought of Timothy as his son. It might be obvious, but bares exploration, belief did not start with Paul. Belief goes back even before Jesus was born for generations. Every generation is called to fulfill the Great Commission. TO SERVE GOD'S purposes as fully as possible.

The Old Testament fully details the history of belief in God from creation forward. All the Jewish traditions and events are foreshadowing the coming Messiah. Paul, being a well-educated and devout Jew, knew these details better than anyone. Here, at the end of his life, Paul can clearly see the devotion and love that is passed down as a sacred family tradition. And, now these responsibilities are being transferred into the hands of Timothy. Paul is praying night and day, ceaselessly for this task to be taken up by Timothy with good cheer and full respect for the importance of God's plan.