Part 4 of the What to Expect series (final part).

Lives bound up with others

Jane and I recently had a discussion where I was reminded of John Donne’s devotional piece that starts “No man is an island, entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” Written just over 400 years ago (published 1624), it reflects on death but also how we are connected to each other. In our passage, Paul also turns from his anticipation of death to a whole series of personal connections.

We start with Demas, who has “loved the world” and deserted Paul. He just gets a short sentence here but I suspect it is tied up with a lot of pain, and also for Alexander, mentioned a few verses later. I know that, when I think of people I’ve known who have turned their backs on Christian faith, it makes me deeply sad. Of course, not every parting is necessarily because someone has turned away. We don’t know anything about Crescens other than his name and a few rumours from church traditions but Titus is probably the same disciple who received his own pastoral epistle from Paul. It is more likely that he has departed on missionary work rather than abandoning or even betraying Paul. Nevertheless, he and Crescens are also gone.

This letter reminds us to expect that the cast of people around us will change over time. Maybe that seems blindingly obvious to you but, right now, if you are feeling the pain of one of those changes, take heart from knowing that God, who cares for you, allows these things to happen. Perhaps I could pose another question for you to ponder? Whose life have you drifted away from? Approach that one with care – just because you have been close to someone in the past, it doesn’t mean it is always wise to try and pick that relationship back up. Sometimes God calls us to reach back and connect; often he moves us to the point where we can give thanks and go forward on the path he has for us. In all things, follow him.

Enduring friends

As we draw towards the letter, we can linger over a more positive angle. Paul knew about goodbyes but he also knew about enduring friends and continuing fellowship. Those are also things we can expect. For example, Luke is still with him and there are others who have only departed because Paul has asked them to. Tychicus is mentioned five times in the New Testament but we don’t know much about him. What is clear though is that Paul trusted Tychichus and sent him to Ephesus, another city containing people he loved deeply.

Something else that cheers my heart is seeing the mention of Mark. This could be the author of the second gospel but it is also likely to be the same person Paul felt was untrustworthy at the end of Acts 15. That led to Paul and Barnabas going in different directions. Today’s letter was written some years later and Paul’s opinion seems to be revised. I hope this means that John Mark thrived working alongside Barnabas, the “son of encouragement”. My experience is that these long-term reconciliations are quite rare but they are all the more precious for that. Perhaps there is a bit of wisdom in that popular saying “never say never”; there certainly is in what Paul writes in 1 Cor 4 (v.5): “judge nothing before the time”.

We leave Paul still planning for the future even though he expects his death is imminent. Send my warm cloak he writes, and the scrolls and particularly the parchments. Why he might want a warm cloak seems obvious to us as autumn heads towards winter. Meanwhile, the “scrolls” might well be portions of scripture and the “parchments” suggest he may have plans to write more things down as well. We can look ahead whatever our situation. May we have a measure of Paul’s confidence and continue encouraging others, as he does by naming various people in his final greetings.

Live your life before our heavenly Father

I hope that we’ve found a few things in 2 Timothy 4 for you to ponder in the coming week. As I wrap up, I want to nod briefly back in the direction of the other possible passage, from Luke 18. In that story, Jesus commends not the person who is confident he has done everything well and is “sorted” but the one who knows he isn’t and approaches trusting only the mercy of God. We can expect life to throw us many challenges and some consolations. Remember that God doesn’t need you to impress him with how clever or accomplished you are. Instead, recognise his mercy and draw near to him with gratitude. Allow his grace to slop over the edges of your cup and may you be a blessing to those he brings you to this coming week.