For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.   (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  (8) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

(17) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.  Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18) And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.  To Him be glory forever and ever.  Amen!

This Sunday the Roman calendar dedicates Sunday, June 29, for the celebration of the lives of saints Peter and Paul.  So it is fitting that we study 2nd Timothy as this letter written to Timothy by the Apostle Paul is Paul’s last will and testament.  Paul writes from prison in Rome – only Luke is with him at the end and perhaps Luke is writing down this message for him.

In verses 4 – 6, Paul is telling Timothy, very matter of fact, that he is about to die.  Paul has lived his life in Christ since the road to Damascus conversion and compares his immanent death to the pouring out of wine on the completed religious sacrifice of the Old Testament.  Paul then continues by using the sports metaphors he has used throughout his writings.  In his day the Olympic games were relatively new and wildly popular – Paul tells us he has “fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.”   Paul often used the concept of running a marathon to teach the early Christians that  Christian life is not a sprint – we must endure with Christ as our goal, our life.  Paul is persuaded that this world is the shadow and Christ is the substance, the reality.    Paul has kept the faith – such beautiful words at the end of one’s life  – and the Lord will give him the winner’s crown of righteousness.   Then Paul, always the teacher, the Apostle by the will of God, tells us that that crown is also for all who love the Lord  and finish the race.

Paul then reviews his recent past and warns Timothy of human frailty.  He urges Timothy to follow his example and to trust in Christ – to be faithful, brave and to endure.  This second letter to Timothy is so immediate and beautiful.  It is a vivid portrayal of Paul’s spirit, mind and heart at the end of his life.  He is a man who is already moving into the kingdom of his Lord, Jesus Christ.  I want to say “don’t go” or “take me with you” but Paul’s words in verses 4 – 6 tell us we have to turn our lives over to Christ and follow his timeline for us.