The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 4:9-17, “Make every effort to come to me soon;
10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.
16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Did you ever meet someone of genuine importance? Remember what you thought as you looked at him? He really is an important person! He must make a ton of money! And he must encounter the most valuable people on the Planet! The problem is that you had no idea of what the man really did! You saw only the externals of his person, not the internals of his work!

It’s much the same when we read of Paul’s personal needs. In the first sentence above we learn of Paul’s dilemma. Paul’s close companions were gone! Crescens and Titus had left to attend to spiritual duties elsewhere; Tychicus was in Ephesus. Demas had abandoned all spiritual responsibilities. Paul had been left alone, thus he pleads for them to bring Mark with them when they come.

Following his plea for spiritual, physical companionship, Paul asked for the books and parchments he had left behind. Oh, and that cloak! Do bring it! It’s getting colder by the day in this dark, damp old prison. And be alerted to Alexander the coppersmith. He has done much to limit the LORD’s work here.

Having said all of this about his team, Paul warns them against those who were bitterly antagonistic to the Gospel! We have some strong opposition here! At the same time, I am praying for them. They simply do not know the value of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Those who are truly important may not be dressed the way we envision them. Enemies of our LORD Jesus Christ are often “sophisticates” in their own realm. Just be careful.

And so it is with us, who are active believers in Jesus Christ. Our activity often calls out those who want to keep Christ and His people quiet and out-of-sight. Let us pray daily for one another. You are in my prayers; I trust that I am in yours.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom