2Ti 2:8-10 “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
It is hard to imagine forgetting the story of Jesus’ resurrection after God revealing in our hearts the empty tomb. The word “remember,” as used here, was not an injunction against forgetting. Instead, it was an instruction to meditate on this blessed truth. There is certainly much to consider.
At first glance it might seem curious as to why Paul included the phrase “of the seed of David” as something to meditate on. However, in thinking about this aspect, we are better positioned to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to David that he would “never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel (Jer 33:17).” Jesus is the one who would fill the throne of David as long as time stands. He could not do this if He was dead.
Remember that the angel of the Lord said He would be called Jesus because He would save us from our sins. The word Christ literally signifies that He was anointed by God. In answer to the question the Jews asked on the day of Pentecost, Peter responded “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:36-38). Peter’s answer was to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the anointed of God for the remission of sins.
We see in Jesus the fulfillment of the law and prophets. In Jesus is the fulness of God’s kept promise. His is a story of great sacrifice and most glorious victory. Though He was crucified and laid in a tomb, He is alive and alive forever more!
This was the good news that Paul shared everywhere he went. He told it in the synagogues and preached it in prison. He declared it to both Jew and Gentile. He preached this glorious news even though he knew it was going to bring him trouble.
None of us likes to suffer. We do not wish to have trouble in our lives, and we certainly do not want to go to prison. Yet, for the cause of Christ and the word of His testimony we should gladly endure these things. It is better to suffer for doing good than doing evil, if that is God’s will (1Pet 3:17).
Rest assured dear child of God that no matter how much bondage men may try to put upon us, they will never bind the word of God. God has proved this to be true throughout the scripture. Daniel was cast into a den of lions to stop him from calling on God. Rather than “binding” or stopping Daniel, word went abroad of the wonderful miracle of God’s grace.
Paul gave permission for the stoning of Stephen for declaring the gospel. Then, God used Paul to be a courageous minister of that same gospel. Even today, there are places where loving and worshipping Jesus is a death sentence. Still, people in those places worship and love Jesus.
Thinking upon all that the very name Jesus Christ means gives us courage to endure whatever is expected of us for the elect’s sakes. We desire to tell of the wonderful salvation in Jesus Christ that the elect may lay hold on this blessed hope. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:39). Neither is there anything or anyone who can cause the word of God to be bound.
May we meditate with great joy on the good news that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, assuring us that with God all things are possible!
