Frederick II, who ruled the Roman Empire in the thirteenth century, conducted a cruel experiment. He wanted to know what man’s original language was: Hebrew, Greek, or Latin? He decided to isolate a few infants from the sound of the human voice. He reasoned that they would eventually speak the natural tongue of man. Wet nurses who were sworn to absolute silence were obtained, and though it was difficult for them, they abided by the rule. The infants never heard a word from a human voice, and within several months they were all dead.
The experiment did not prove man’s original language, but it did prove that humans cannot live apart from relationship. The infants were physiologically fine; they died from a lack of social interaction. God created us in his own image, which means that we are relational beings. We were created to be in relationship with God and one another.
But tragically, sin has broken our relationship with God and has marred people’s relationships with each other. And that is why Jesus left heaven and came to earth. He became incarnate and sacrificed his own life on the cross to atone for our sins so that our relationship with God and each other could be restored. The mission of the church is to share this good news with the people of the earth. Christianity is all about relationships!
Unfortunately, many people in the world today have a distorted view of Christianity! They have been taught that it is a belief system based around rules, regulations, and rituals. Now it is true that some of these things exist (as in any religion), but none of these represents the true essence of the Christian faith. Christianity, at its very core, is a religion of relationships!
The Apostle Paul, as he came to the waning months of his life, concludes his final letter by emphasizing relationships. As he lay in the dungeon cell in Rome awaiting his execution, he tells Timothy to do his best to come to him soon (v. 9). They had a deep personal relationship with one another. Paul had been Timothy’s spiritual father who mentored and encouraged him in the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was the one who had sent him to Ephesus to get the church in order, but now he was calling Timothy to Rome because he wanted to see his face one last time before he died.
In this very personal conclusion to the letter of Second Timothy, Paul highlights the nature of Christian relationships. I would like for us to spend some time today reflecting on three aspects of Christian relationships found in this text.
1.) The Importance of Personal Contact in Christian Relationships (9-22)
The first thing I would like us to notice in this text is the importance of personal contact in Christian relationships. In the ancient world, hand-written letters were the only means of communication for people separated by distance. The apostle Paul wrote and received his fair share of letters during his lifetime (much of the New Testament is comprised of these letters). Even though letters helped Paul maintain relationships with churches and individuals, nothing could replace the importance of face to face personal contact.
Paul begins this final section of his letter with a passionate plea for Timothy to leave his post in Ephesus and come to Rome soon. He makes his desire known in verse 9 and reiterates it in verse 21, where he adds “Do your best to come to me before winter.” Paul would not only need his cloak before the cold set in, but he also knew that the Mediterranean Sea was closed to shipping from November to March, and if Timothy was going to make it to him, he would have to set out immediately.
Why was it so important for Paul to see Timothy face to face again before he died? Two reasons—first, there is a natural desire for anyone who is dying to physically be with their loved ones. Second, Paul was lonely in his suffering. In verse 11, he mentions that only Luke is with him. All of his other ministry colleagues had either deserted him or were off on missions somewhere else: Crescens (of whom nothing else is known) had gone to Galatia. Titus was in Dalmatia. Tychicus was almost certainly the one who delivered Paul’s letter to Timothy and was probably commissioned to take Timothy’s place. Carpus was at Troas; Prisca and Aquila were in Ephesus with Timothy; and Onesiphorus had already died. Erastus was in Corinth and Trophimus was in Melitus. Paul mentions all of this to show Timothy how much he wanted him to come to him.
Every one of these names represents a deep personal relationship forged in the fires of work and ministry and suffering together over a period of years. Relationships like this do not develop without close personal contact over a long duration of time. Personal contact is important in Christian relationships!
A number of years ago I had someone close to me experience a traumatic event. He got home from work one day and discovered that his wife had left him. It was incredibly inconvenient for me at the time, but I got in my car and drove 600 miles to be with him for a few days, and that made all the difference. Likewise, you all know that my grandfather died two months ago. I wasn’t able to be with him when he passed, but I made a long trip to see him three weeks before. Those were three of the most profound days in my whole life!
Many of you have experienced the privilege of being at the bedside of a loved one when they have passed away. Even though it is emotionally difficult, there is a special grace that comes with physically being there and holding their hand when they breathe their last breath. I always love reading obituaries that say, “She died with her loving family at her side…” It is not always possible to be there when someone dies, but it is important to try to spend time with that person before it is too late.
Even with all of our modern technological advances in communication, nothing can replace old fashioned face to face interaction. You never hear anyone say, “Hey sonny boy, I’m dying; text me.” Or “This is probably going to be my last day; lets skype tonight.” If you have a loved one who is dying or going through a difficult time, make sure that you are for them, regardless of the inconvenience. Christianity is a religion of relationships!
How much importance do you place on personal contact in relationships? E-mail is excellent! I-phones are incredible! Facebook is fun! Hand-written letters are luxurious! But none of these things are a substitute for face to face personal contact in relationships!
2.) The Reality of Desertion and Opposition in Christian Relationships (10, 14-15)
The second thing I would like us to notice in this text is the reality of desertion and opposition in Christian relationships. In verse 10, Paul shares some disheartening news about Demas, who had deserted him because of his love for this present world. Demas had been one of Paul’s ministry colleagues and was with him during his first imprisonment (Col. 4:12; Philem. 24), but he had abandoned Paul because he loved the material and temporal things of this world more than the eternal things of God’s kingdom.
In verses 14-15, Paul also expresses the pain of opposition he experienced at the hands of Alexander the metal worker. This Alexander was probably the same one mentioned in I Timothy 1:19-20, whom Paul had to excommunicate from the Ephesian church because he was spreading heresy. It is not entirely clear what Paul means by “caused me a great deal of harm,” but it is probable that Alexander had something to do with Paul getting arrested and transferred to death row in Rome. If this is the same Alexander, Paul was a victim of his vindictive nature. Unfortunately, Paul experienced the harsh reality of desertion and opposition in Christian relationships. But even in the midst of his pain, Paul put his trust in God’s justice; the Lord always judges evil!
Like Paul, some of you have felt the agony of abandonment and the ache of opposition. Some of you still bear the scars of rejection; maybe you were deserted by a parent, a spouse, a child, or a friend. Some of you have been opposed by a coworker or fellow church member. It is especially painful when we are hurt by another Christian (or so called Christian). This is one of the tragic realities of living in a sinful world.
But instead of harboring bitterness and resentment in our hearts, I encourage you to place your trust in God’s justice! Instead of sinking into the pit of self-pity, focus on the fact that Jesus and Paul experienced greater injustices than you. And always remember that God will execute ultimate justice on Judgment Day.
3.) The Beauty of Reconciliation in Christian Relationships (11)
The third ting I would like for you to notice in this text is the beauty of reconciliation in Christian relationships. In verse 11, Paul tells Timothy to: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” This sentence is remarkable when we consider the context. The Book of Acts (13:13; 15:36-41) tells us that Mark was at the center of the dispute that led to Paul and Barnabas parting ways. Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them on their second missionary journey, but Paul didn’t think it was wise because Mark had deserted them on their first missionary journey.
Even though Paul had been hurt by Mark’s attitude and actions in the past, we see that Paul had forgiven him and the relationship had been reconciled—so much so that Paul considered him helpful to his ministry and he wanted to see him before he died.
This verse serves as a model of reconciliation for all Christians. One of the sad realities of living in a sinful world is that people hurt each other and relationships are broken. And if you haven’t noticed, even Christians hurt each other with their words, attitudes, and actions. We have all hurt someone and someone has hurt us, but God calls us to reconciliation. If you are the offender, God calls you to repent from your sin, sincerely apologize for your offense, make restitution, and do your part to repair the relationship. If you are the offended, God calls you to forgive the offender and the offense, let go of any resentment or bitterness, and do your part to reconcile the relationship. There is great beauty in reconciled relationships.
Have you hurt someone? What have you done to reconcile the relationship? Have you been hurt by someone? Have you forgiven them? Have you done your part to reconcile the relationship?
Christianity is a religion of relationships! As Christians, we need to maintain personal contact, recognize the reality of desertion and opposition, and strive for reconciliation in all of our relationship!