Acts 26:22–23

No greater love exists. Jesus willingly gave up His deity and His life in place of ours. 

The One who knew no sin took on the sins of the world. In Him is life, eternal, a gift born out of the love of God for His creation. 

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

This is a good day to push the pause button. First things first. Let us Stop… It’s about where we tether our wellbeing. And hear this: Grace is the opposite of fear.

On the seventh day, God rested.  God savored.

Savoring is rooted...In Sabbath. In Enough. In Grace. Sabbath Moments 

“You are accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not seek for anything. Do not perform anything, do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted." If that happens to us, we experience grace.” Paul Tillich

Acts 26:22–23

21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” The New King James Version

Throughout Acts, the good news about Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of promises made by God in the old testament Scriptures. 

Jesus was not raised from the dead temporarily, as other people were. He was the first who absolutely conquered death and was the guarantee that others would as well. Faithlife Study Bible

All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. 

The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and they were in a rage at Paul’s preaching the fulfilling of the Old Testament predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could the Jews justly be displeased at? Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Luke 24:26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Matthew 16:13-17

Jesus is the Christ, the anointed One, the Son of the living God!

We cannot rely on traditions, positions of authority or any form of our own righteousness in response to God's invitation to follow His Son. We don't enter God's Kingdom through our own striving but by a change of mind where we turn from our own sources of "truth" to believe in Jesus.

Not all sources can be trusted. But Jesus' teaching that sinners who believe in Him will be saved, though "religious" people who resist God's Messiah will not be saved, rings true through a gospel lens. First5 

When I savor, grace comes to life.

Grace allows us to risk loving, to be unafraid of a life that can be messy.
To make a space for something less than perfect in ourselves and in one another.

To offer kindness and compassion. In a glance, in a word, in a touch.
To create spaces, sanctuaries, where healing and hope are offered.
To believe in goodness after harm. And to know that this light and love will always spill to the world around us. Sabbath Moments 

Matthew 16:13-17

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. The New King James Version

Here, Jesus asks the question in a general sense. Later He identifies Himself as the Son of Man. 

Jesus’ ministry closely reflects Elijah’s. Jesus refers to John the Baptist as Elijah. Here, Matthew indicates that some believe Jesus to be Elijah—a legitimate claim given the similarities between their ministries. However, the significance of this comparison is eschatological. 

The Greek word used here, christos, meaning “Christ,” “Messiah,” or “anointed one,” is equivalent to the Hebrew, mashiach, which primarily describes kings in the old testament. Faithlife Study Bible

Caesarea Philippi was located north of the Sea of Galilee, at the base of the southwest slope of Mt. Hermon. The place had long been associated with idol worship. Who do men say that I … am: In the face of the surrounding idols, Christ led His disciples into a proclamation of His deity by first soliciting from them what other people said. In the end, however, what mattered was the apostles’ own beliefs concerning Jesus. 

The Spirit of grace revealed to Peter the true identity of the Lord Jesus. Son of the living God refers to Jesus’ deity. Several factors point to this conclusion: (1) He was born of a virgin (2) He was called Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (3) the title in Greek is emphatic: “the Son of the God, the living One”; and (4) later passages describe Christ as God.

People do not come to faith in Jesus Christ by scrutiny or searching, but by the Father’s revelation of the Son to them. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 14:2 | and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

Mark 6:15 | Others said, “It is Elijah.”And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

Mark 8:27 | Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

Luke 9:8 | and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

Galatians 1:16 | to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

Revelation 12:7–12

And the end will come. The end to the evil that prevails. The end to death and sorrow. 

The simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His birth, death and resurrection, is a stumbling block to those who thing they can earn eternal life without Him.

And all the world will know Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords!

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

This week we’re invited to change our paradigm for success.
Not always easy to do in a world with the temptation that in order “to be somebody”, we need to arrive somewhere other than where we are now. In so, we forget (or do not see) the beauty and light that resides inside. Now. This little light of mine... I'm going to let it shine…

I return often to this affirmation and encouragement from David Orr, “The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it. SabbathMoments 

Revelation 12:7–12

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” The New King James Version

Michael is an archangel. According to Daniel 12:1 he is a special guardian angel for the nation of Israel. Apparently he commands an army of angels. Michael and the heavenly forces are victorious, making heaven off-limits to Satan and his demons. 

The devil’s expulsion from heaven to the earth means that this world becomes his base of operations, and that his anger is vented toward the remaining inhabitants of the earth. Thus it is likely that the end times will be the greatest period of spiritual warfare in history. 

The heavenly defeat of Satan is followed by reference to his earthly setbacks, including the crucifixion of Christ (the blood of the Lamb), the verbal witness of believers (the word of their testimony), and the martyrdom of some of the brethren. All these events precede the coming of the kingdom of our God. 

Those in the heavens have good reason to rejoice, because of the permanent expulsion of the devil. On the other hand, the natural creation (the earth and the sea) now has an additional woe to contend with—the great anger of the devil, who knows his time is short. Soon Satan is to be bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. The NKJV Study Bible

Michael an archangel; the protector of God’s people. In the heavenly assembly, the gods and angels came together before Yahweh to discuss the happenings and fate of the cosmos 

Satan’s role in the divine council was that of an accuser or a prosecuting attorney figure. He and what would become his demonic entourage are eventually expelled from the council. In retaliation, he transitions from accuser to pursuer, going beyond mere accusations to attempting to inflict physical harm. Satan is banished from the divine council in heaven to earth, then to the abyss, then finally to the lake of fire.  

The Greek terminology used here—diablos (meaning “slanderer”) and satan (meaning “accuser”)—appropriately coincide with the description of the dragon’s activities. John regularly introduces God’s enemies, then details their demise. Satan is introduced here and receives his final punishment in chapter 20. Satan’s role in the divine council was to accuse continually, but he rebelled from this proper role and became evil. Here, he carries on his original work, but outside of God’s jurisdiction. 

The knowledge that Satan could be defeated by faith, witness, and perseverance would have been a tremendous encouragement to the members of the seven churches and others being pressured to compromise spiritually. They were willing to be martyred for the sake of remaining faithful to Christ. Faithlife Study Bible

The attempts of the dragon proved unsuccessful against the church, and fatal to his own interests. The seat of this war was in heaven; in the church of Christ, the kingdom of heaven on earth. The parties were Christ, the great Angel of the covenant, and his faithful followers; and Satan and his instruments. 

The strength of the church is in having the Lord Jesus for the Captain of their salvation. Pagan idolatry, which was the worship of devils, was cast out of the empire by the spreading of Christianity. The salvation and strength of the church, are only to be ascribed to the King and Head of the church. 

The conquered enemy hates the presence of God, yet he is willing to appear there, to accuse the people of God. Let us take heed that we give him no cause to accuse us; and that, when we have sinned, we go before the Lord, condemn ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate. 

The servants of God overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb, as the cause. By the word of their testimony: the powerful preaching of the gospel is mighty, through God, to pull down strong holds. By their courage and patience in sufferings: they loved not their lives so well but they could lay them down in Christ’s cause.

The redeemed overcame by a simple reliance on the blood of Christ, as the only ground of their hopes. In this we must be like them. We must not blend any thing else with this.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Luke 10:18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

John 8:1-11

Jesus is grace…I like to believe with His finger He was writing LOVE. His love covered a multitude of our sin. He is faithful to forgive us our sin when we come to Him in repentance.

Loving God,
I sense that all is your creation
and everything, and all of us,
are being drawn back toward your loving heart.
Help me to be a person of peace,
To speak about it in an uneasy world,
And to live it among the people
you have put into my life every day.
Light in me a desire to prepare for your coming
to stand in the darkness, waiting, eager and filled with joy.
(Thank you Creighton.edu) SabbathMoments 

Proliferating throughout Scripture is an enticing and inviting preposition – the preposition “in.” Jesus lives in his children. From Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” God in us

Have we sounded the depth of this promise? He will do what you cannot do. With God in you, you have a million resources you didn’t have before. Can’t stop worrying? Christ can, and he lives within you. Can’t forget the past, forgive the jerk, or forsake your bad habits? Christ can! And he lives in you.

Oh to be so full of him that we could say with the apostle Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 3:20). Max Lucado

John 8:1-11

8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” The New King James Version

Because the Feast of Tabernacles had concluded the day before, many visitors were still in Jerusalem. Attracted by the appearance of a noted rabbi, a crowd rapidly gathered. Teachers in ancient Israel sat when they taught. Jesus assumed the position of an authoritative teacher. 

Abruptly bringing the adulterous woman into the midst of the proceedings was a rude disruption. The Pharisees were bent on confounding Jesus. Stoning was specified in certain cases of adultery, though not all. (It is not clear why the authorities intended to punish the woman but not the man.) 

In the Greek text, the pronoun You is emphatic. The religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus into saying something that was contrary to the Law. If Jesus had said not to stone her, He would have contradicted Jewish law. If He had said to stone her, He would have run counter to Roman law, which did not permit Jews to carry out their own executions. 

What Jesus wrote on the ground is a matter of conjecture. Sin no more implies that Jesus forgave her. He did not condemn her, but neither did He condone her sin. The NKJV Study Bible

The biblical law prescribed death for both partners involved in an adulterous relationship (Leviticus 20:10). The religious authorities’ condemnation is unjustly selective since her partner has apparently been let off. 

What Jesus writes is unknown. It appears to prompt the leaders’ later conviction of conscience perhaps by reminding them of their own sinfulness or of the law’s higher considerations (mercy and compassion). 

The legal problems intended to entrap Jesus always result in embarrassment for the accusers or questioners, as Jesus’ response is always unexpected and cuts directly to the heart of the problem. Jesus makes the case that no one is without sin other than God, and thus no one is permitted to pass judgment by any authority other than what God has given them. Only God has a pure motive. Faithlife Study Bible

In this matter Christ attended to the great work about which he came into the world, that was, to bring sinners to repentance; not to destroy, but to save. He aimed to bring, not only the accused to repentance, by showing her his mercy, but the prosecutors also, by showing them their sins; they thought to insnare him, he sought to convince and convert them. 

Those are truly happy, whom Christ does not condemn. Christ’s favour to us in the forgiveness of past sins should prevail with us, Go then, and sin no more. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Luke 12:32-34

Our relationship with God is a matter of the heart. What we value shows in the way we live our lives. 

The most important lesson in today's reading is that entering the Kingdom of heaven has nothing to do with our position, power, possessions, potential or productivity. First5 

Because we see the broken and the “lowly” only as detrimental, and we miss the beauty and light that resides there (even and especially there). This little light of mine… The freedom that comes when we no longer need to pretend we have our act together. We give up our need to be perfect and our need to be in control. And Grace meets us there. SabbathMoments 

It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment. God became a man. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb. Max Lucado

Luke 12:32-34  

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The New King James Version

Little flock refers to believers who belong to God’s kingdom and live under God’s loving care. This image recalls the old testament’s depiction of God as a caring shepherd of His people. Elsewhere the new testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise of a true shepherd of God’s people. Eternal riches, are those not lost when a person dies. This idea corresponds with being rich toward God. 

Instead of focusing on accumulating earthly riches, Jesus’ followers are to pursue heavenly rewards by seeking God’s kingdom and giving generously to the impoverished. The focus of everyone, whether wealthy or not, should be the kingdom of God. Faithlife Study Bible

In contrast to the world’s hoarding of possessions, the disciple must be generous with what God gives. money bags which do not grow old: By serving God and others, you can invest in your eternal future. You cannot take possessions with you in the next life, but you can store up an eternal treasure by giving to others. 

What people consider valuable is where their energy will be spent. Knowing God and investing in His purposes should be the treasure we seek. The NKJV Study Bible

Isaiah 40:11 

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;

He will gather the lambs with His arm,

And carry them in His bosom,

And gently lead those who are with young.

Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 22:29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,

Jesus and the heart of God!

Unless we come to God as little children, totally dependent, trusting  and malleable, we will not experience  the totality of what He offers to those who believe in Him and the salvation that He offers in Christ Jesus.

Jesus and the heart of  God!

The highest greatness and glory belong to Christ. But we can aim for Christlikeness and share in His Kingdom's greatness as we surrender to the Holy Spirit, humbling ourselves like our Savior. The fruit of God's Spirit consists of Christlike characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) These qualities are lived out in communities, families, marriages, friendships and churches, and they require us to surrender our ways for God's will to triumph. May we freely serve with these gifts the Spirit has given us and live out Christlike humility as we love one another with His help. First5 

Mary Oliver’s reminder, “It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world.” Sabbath Moments 

Matthew 19:13–15

13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. The New King James Version

Mark 10:13–16 

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. The New King James Version

Luke 18:15–17

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” The New King James Version

Children exhibit sincerity, eagerness, a trusting attitude, and total dependence on their parents. Thus childlikeness is a fitting comparison for the qualities a disciple should have. 

The disciples assumed that Jesus was too important and too busy for children. The parents’ desire for Jesus to touch the children was probably a request to bless them. Jesus used the thoughtlessness of His disciples to make two points: (1) All people, even little children, are important to God. (2) The kingdom of God consists of those who respond to Him with the trust that a little child gives to a parent. The NKJV Study Bible

The disciples prevented people from bringing their children to Jesus. Jesus likely makes this comparison to illustrate humility. In the Graeco-Roman world, children were viewed as having a low status. Faithlife Study Bible

It is well when we come to Christ ourselves, and bring our children. Little children may be brought to Christ as needing, and being capable of receiving blessings from him, and having an interest in his intercession. We can but beg a blessing for them: Christ only can command the blessing. It is well for us, that Christ has more love and tenderness in him than the best of his disciples have. And let us learn of him not to discountenance any willing, well-meaning souls, in their seeking after Christ, though they are but weak. Those who are given to Christ, as part of his purchase, he will in no wise cast out. Therefore he takes it ill of all who forbid, and try to shut out those whom he has received. And all Christians should bring their children to the Saviour that he may bless them with spiritual blessings. 

None are too little, too young, to be brought to Christ, who knows how to show kindness to those not capable of doing service to him. It is the mind of Christ, that little children should be brought to him. The promise is to us, and to our seed; therefore He will bid them welcome to him with us. And we must receive his kingdom as children, not by purchase, and must call it our Father’s gift. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Ezekiel 21:12-13

God’s chosen people are  held to a higher standard. Some choose their religious doctrine over Jesus. They were and are without excuse.

Woe to all who choose not to accept His Son as their Messiah and King.

Loving God,
I sense that all is your creation
and everything, and all of us,
are being drawn back toward your loving heart.
Help me to be a person of peace,
To speak about it in an uneasy world,
And to live it among the people
you have put into my life every day.
Light in me a desire to prepare for your coming
to stand in the darkness, waiting, eager and filled with joy.
(Thank you Creighton.edu) SabbathMoments 

Christs’ followers went from being terrified to later testifying of the Truth of the gospel: the good news of salvation they saw lived out before their very eyes through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. First5 

Ezekiel 21:12-13

12 “Cry and wail, son of man; For it will be against My people, Against all the princes of Israel. Terrors including the sword will be against My people; Therefore strike your thigh. 13 “Because it is a testing, And what if the sword despises even the scepter? The scepter shall be no more,” says the Lord God. The New King James Version

Ezekiel is lamenting the death of the royal house of David. Faithlife Study Bible

Ezekiel was told to add verbal groans and a physical gesture to his musical message. In that culture, these actions displayed great grief and sorrow. Israel failed a test. The sword would strike God’s people, specifically the nation’s rulers (the meaning of the word scepter). These words drew upon the messianic implications of Genesis 49:9, 10 and the promises of the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7. 

The Jews had misinterpreted these promises to mean that their nation would never fall. Because of their sin, however, the Davidic line of kings would be interrupted. False messianic hopes related to Judah were corrected when Jerusalem was overthrown in 586 b.c. by Nebuchadnezzar. The NKJV Study Bible

The sword glitters to the terror of those against whom it is drawn. It is a sword to others, a rod to the people of the Lord. God is in earnest in pronouncing this sentence, and the prophet must show himself in earnest in publishing it. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Jeremiah 31:19 

Surely, after my turning, I repented;

And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh;

I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated,

Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’

Ezekiel 21:27 

Overthrown, overthrown,

I will make it overthrown!

It shall be no longer,

Until He comes whose right it is,

And I will give it to Him.” ’

2 Timothy 2:8-13

We serve a living God!

These were Paul’s final instructions to Timothy his “son” in the faith telling him how to handle the later days.

The more time we spend with God in His Word, the better we know His Truth, and the better we're able to discern and reject untruth. (John 8:31-32) As Paul tells us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

Since creation, Satan's goal has been to thwart God's plans and gain authority over Him, (Genesis 3:1-7;  Matthew 4:9-10;  Luke 4:6-7) and Satan will use whatever and whomever he can to accomplish his goals. So while it may appear Jesus was referring to Peter as Satan, He was actually directly addressing Satan, who was trying to use Peter to obstruct God's ultimate plan of redemption. First5 

2 Timothy 

Theology • Paul was well aware that hardships and conflict are a part of Christian ministry. One of the essential characteristics of a faithful servant of Christ is endurance in the midst of difficulties. To encourage Timothy in this virtue, the apostle reminds him that Jesus Christ is “of the seed of David” and “was raised from the dead” (2:8). Mention of the seed of David links Christ with the Davidic covenant which states that a Son of David will rule on his throne forever. Furthermore, Christ has been resurrected; He is alive. The promise of ruling and reigning with Him (2:11–13) is set before Timothy as a motive for faithful endurance in ministry. A special crown will be given to those who faithfully serve the Lord and wait for His return. Paul warns Timothy that difficulties are coming for believers, and he instructs him about how Christians are to respond and behave. Jesus had predicted that such times would come, and Paul himself had referred previously to these times. Although he would not live to see these dreadful days, Paul still cared enough to urge Timothy to be bold in the work of the Lord, even in the midst of troubling times. The NKJV Study Bible

2 Timothy 2:8-13

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Timothy is commanded to remember Christ’s resurrection. The seed of David emphasizes Jesus’ humanity and the fact that He would fulfill all the promises God had given to David. Raised from the dead emphasizes that our Savior lives today seated at the right hand of God the Father. Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, which become our death to sin and our resurrection to eternal life. Persevering in the faith even in the face of hardship or persecution will result in a reward when Christ returns. A warning against apostasy. Jesus will not save those who shrink from identifying with Him or from serving Him on this earth.

Raised from the dead refers to the resurrection —the foundation of the Christian faith. 

Jesus descends from the royal lineage of David—Israel’s greatest king. Therefore, Jesus was the legitimate successor to David’s throne. Isaiah describes the Messiah as the branch, a descendant, of Jesse, the father of King David—which is connected to the prophecies about the Servant of the Lord who would suffer on behalf of God’s people. 

Religious leaders of the first century believed the Messiah (the branch of Jesse) would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. This belief was based on 1 Samuel 17:12, which notes that David’s father, Jesse, was from Bethlehem, as well as Micah 5:2, which notes that the ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem. In their genealogies, Matthew and Luke trace Jesus’ lineage to David, and even refer to Joseph as a “son of David”. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, people called him “Son of David” in acknowledgment of His royal lineage. 

Paul entrusted the contents of his gospel to Timothy. During his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul stayed in a rented house, from which he preached the gospel. During his previous imprisonment in Rome, Paul shared the gospel with the emperor’s elite body guard. Even the members of Caesar’s household became believers. 

Paul is suggesting that we identify with Christ’s suffering and exaltation. Paul acknowledges his present sufferings while anticipating future blessings. Believers unite with Christ in His death and His resurrection. In this context, death may imply martyrdom since it represented a genuine possibility for persecuted believers. This echoes Jesus’ teaching about enduring persecution. 

A person’s faithlessness (i.e., abandonment of the faith) does not affect God’s faithfulness (i.e., His commitment to His mission). Faithlife Study Bible

Human circumstances cannot confine the word of God. Whether through a tract, a book, a Bible, or a simple statement, God uses His word to accomplish His purposes. There are numerous examples of people who were antagonistic to God’s truth but who surrendered their lives to God when He kept after them. We must not hide the gospel, but instead let it go forth unchained in spite of our own limitations. 

Paul is able to endure his present difficult circumstances—his own imprisonment—because he knows that God’s work is still progressing among the elect, God’s chosen ones. The final outcome of their salvation will be the eternal glory of God’s coming kingdom. 

Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, which become our death to sin and our resurrection to eternal life. Persevering in the faith even in the face of hardship or persecution will result in a reward when Christ returns. “He will also deny us” is a warning against apostasy. Jesus will not save those who shrink from identifying with Him or from serving Him on this earth. 

Even when believers fail the Savior, He remains loyal. For Christ to abandon us would be contrary to His faithful nature. Christ’s relationship with Peter is a great example of God’s faithfulness. The NKJV Study Bible

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,

Nor a son of man, that He should repent.

Has He said, and will He not do?

Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 24:22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

Matthew 26:26–29

God’s grace rest in the blood of Jesus Christ. In Communion we remember His sacrifice that gave us salvation and set us free from the bondage of sin. No greater love exists! It is finished.

In Him and in the power of  Holy Spirit  we can share the Good News.

We have devices today that can track our every heartbeat … but there is no technology that will show a person's inner heart, the heart only God can see. Yet the secret to having a clean heart before Him is no longer a secret. The Apostle John summarizes it in one verse: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Examining our hearts on the inside allows us to bring our sin to God, and every time, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us. What a faithful God! First5 

You can dedicate a decade of anxious thoughts to the brevity of life and not extend it by one minute. Worry accomplishes nothing.

God doesn’t condemn legitimate concern for responsibilities, but rather the continuous mindset that dismisses God’s presence. Destructive anxiety subtracts God from the future, tallies up the challenges of the day without entering God into the equation.

Jesus gives us this challenge: “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:32-33 NLT).

Matthew 26:26–29

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” The New King James Version

Jesus’ body was the final sacrifice that would atone for sins, just as the Passover lamb signified the atonement for the people’s sins every year. The Passover meal includes four (sometimes five) cups of wine; this is likely the third, the cup of blessing.

In the ancient Near East, covenants often were ratified using blood (through sacrifice). At Sinai, Moses sprinkled the people with the blood of the covenant (Exodus 24:8). The elements of the Lord’s Supper serve as signs of the new covenant. Faithlife Study Bible

This is My blood of the new covenant refers to the covenant that had been promised in the Old Testament. The Lord Jesus specifically said that His blood … is shed for many for the remission of sins. The word many anticipates the command to preach the Good News to all the world. This verse anticipates God’s kingdom when Christ will reign on the throne of David. Today He is seated with the Father on His throne and intercedes for us.

Matthew wrote his Gospel to demonstrate to his Jewish audience that Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah. Who is the Messiah and why were the Jews waiting for such a person?

In Hebrew or Aramaic, the word Messiah means “anointed.” The Greek equivalent of the word is the title Christ. In the Old Testament, prophets, priests and kings were literally anointed with oil to consecrate them for special service or to signify the endowment of the Spirit of God. These practices pointed to the promised arrival of God’s Anointed One, who would fulfill all three offices as the Prophet, the Priest, and the King.  The NKJV Study Bible

This ordinance of the Lord’s supper is to us the passover supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt. Take, eat; accept of Christ as he is offered to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, submit to his grace and his government. Meat looked upon, be the dish ever so well garnished, will not nourish; it must be fed upon: so must the doctrine of Christ. This is my body; that is, spiritually, it signifies and represents his body. We partake of the sun, not by having the sun put into our hands, but the beams of it darted down upon us; so we partake of Christ by partaking of his grace, and the blessed fruits of the breaking of his body. The blood of Christ is signified and represented by the wine. He gave thanks, to teach us to look to God in every part of the ordinance. This cup he gave to the disciples with a command, Drink ye all of it. The pardon of sin is that great blessing which is, in the Lord’s supper, conferred on all true believers; it is the foundation of all other blessings. He takes leave of such communion; and assures them of a happy meeting again at last; “Until that day when I drink it new with you”, may be understood of the joys and glories of the future state, which the saints shall partake with the Lord Jesus. That will be the kingdom of his Father; the wine of consolation will there be always new. While we look at the outward signs of Christ’s body broken and his blood shed for the remission of our sins, let us recollect that the feast cost him as much as though he had literally given his flesh to be eaten and his blood for us to drink. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words.”

Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 14:23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

Mark 14:25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”