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In the last letter he wrote, Paul instructed a young pastor named Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus and to endure hardship like a good soldier. Paul would soon be gone, so he challenged Timothy to press on and share the gospel.

In the middle of the challenge, Paul suddenly introduced the ultimate example of endurance. He said,

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.

2 Timothy 2:8

This may represent a fragment of a familiar creed of the day. It seems, in the middle of his challenge, Paul gave Timothy a rich subject for reflection and meditation.

Paul’s description of Jesus as the offspring of David or the One “descended from David” was a fresh reminder to Timothy that Jesus was the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. David had defeated his enemies on the battlefield to make Israel into a great nation. Jesus came to defeat Satan once and for all on the cross to make a people for God. David, the great king, died, but Jesus defeated death itself by rising from the grave.

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for taking on death and defeating it at the empty tomb. Thank you for the new life you give—now and for eternity.

In your name, I pray. Amen.

Let us pray for you. Email your requests to prayer@ronmoore.org.

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