How close should we be in the church?

Personal Concerns and the Kingdom of God

(2 Timothy 4:9-13)

9 Do your best to come to me soon.

The apostle Paul was a person, and Timothy was not only his professional associate and partner in the gospel, he was his friend, and even more, his son in the faith. The faith that we embrace causes us to have family connections with people. Our connection with Jesus brings us into a large extended family where personal concerns make a difference.

The church is not a business. Paul is not starting a pyramid scheme. He is one son of God among many who have a close connection with Jesus, the only-begotten Son of the Father. Paul cares about the man he is writing to, and he wants him near by.

10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Paul feels the absence of Timothy all the more because so many of his other sons in the faith have found reasons to leave him without his normal Christian companionship. There are times when this must be, but we are looking for the arrival of a new day when we are together again in the fullest way.

11 Luke alone is with me.

Even when we feel like we are utterly alone, we should remember the One who has promised to be with us until the end of the age. Yet it is not just Jesus who is spiritually present with us. He who reigns over all has determined that in most circumstances of seeming abandonment, there is a Luke who is still with us after all. Thank the Lord for these special faithful gospel friends. They are a gift.

Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

Thank the Lord also that ministry conflicts can be repaired and camaraderie in Christ can often be reestablished. There was a time when John Mark made an untimely departure that had nasty shock waves among other Christian friendships. But now Paul wants him nearby. Apparently the breach has been repaired. We should look for that to happen. It seems odd to me that Christians should hold on to grudges for decades. Jesus heals. We all repent. We all forgive. Why should that be so hard?

We should be friends and co-laborers. There is nothing wrong with Paul noting that John Mark was useful to him for ministry. But if we just want to use people the church will not thrive in the love of Christ. We have relationship and a common endeavor in the Word, sacrament, and prayer.

12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

If we have to leave, we should be sent, like Tychicus. Don't running away from problems and frustrations, but serve together in a mission. That may involve going someplace for a season, but we will not be fully satisfied until we are all together with the Lord.

13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.

Until then let us read together the letters and books that God has given us in the Word. And let us love one another with that love of Jesus that covers a multitude of sins.