Devotional thoughts for Thursday

Thursday 29, January 2015 

The Last Sunday after Epiphany 

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2. Timothy 1,1-2 ESV) 

Two points stand out in Paul's greetings to Timothy in this epistle. First, Jesus is the promise the life. Not just any life, but the life. The Apostle is talking about eternal life that is everlasting. We can only have this in and through Jesus. By extension, if we have eternal life we also have all the blessings of physical life promised to us as well. We have this blessing now in part, but when we enjoy eternal life with Christ we will also enjoy all blessings of physical life that is centered in the body, a body that will be resurrected in glory. 

Second, Paul mentions grace, mercy and peace. Again, we only have this in and through Jesus. God gives us grace: our sins are freely forgiven through Jesus and His vicarious sacrifice. God gives us mercy: He unconditionally loves us and has saved us through the sending of His Only Son. God gives us peace: we are reconciled to God and our sins are forgiven; enmity between God and man has been removed by Jesus. 

Prayer: O Almighty God, You show mercy to Your people in all their troubles. Grant us always to recognize Your goodness, give thanks for Your compassion and praise Your Holy Name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (C81 Treasury of Daily Prayer)