The prisoner’s request was just a small one. Confined to his quarters, restricted from doing the work he loved the most he asked his friend that when he visited next would he bring the coat and books which belonged to him. We are not told whether that request was answered but knowing the prisoner’s friend we could almost say it was. Paul was a prisoner for Christ in Rome and in his letter to Timothy he pens with this request a message of urgency not alone to Timothy but to all his brethren and sisters, urging that the preaching of the gospel must be “Instant in season, out of season.”
Let us retract the finger that would point to the platform, where lectures are given as fulfilling this instruction. Is it possible when we read the closing section of the letter that Paul is showing that the “preaching in season, out of season” is all the time and through many, many channels far from the platform?
In the summertime big things can be achieved, when the fields are full and the farmer can in a great show sweep his harvest into large barns. Great achievements, but there is also the season when small things must be done. Planting of the tiny seed, a patient watching and caring for the earth so there can be a continued growth and life. Paul continues then with this thought and in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 5 says, “But watch thou in all things.”
Small things demand priority on a par with the big things in the service of Christ. Paul then, hoped Timothy would find it important to remember to visit him as soon as possible. “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me.” To illustrate the lesson he has drawn so far in this chapter, he goes on to tell Timothy of some of his fellow companions and how they have reacted when called on to do great and small things. “To be instant in season, out of season.” Demas had travelled with him. He had been in the front line when preaching had to be done before the crowds in the towns and villages. He had been a ready spokesman when the ecclesias they visited sought information of their travelling experiences. Now it was time for the small things, a patient waiting while Paul was a prisoner, but Demas had other things to do. Business, etc., had to be taken care of. He could not stand for a moment in the shadows of the service of Christ, so Paul in sorrow had to write, Verse 10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonian.”
Nevertheless there were those who had been consistent in the work. Paul’s faithful friend Luke. Verse II, “Only Luke is with me.” Luke, “Lucas” whose name means “Light”) Steadfast and sure, like a beam of light he had been there in all seasons and through them all waited patiently upon his Lord and Master. Then there was Mark. Paul requested that this disciple should visit him for he could see him as a vessel profitable for the ministry. Such had not always been the case. There was a time recorded in Acts chapter 15 verse 38 that Paul thought it not wise to take Mark along with him on his journeys. Mark had wanted to do it his way, with the sword of the spirit of the word in hand he expected to charge out in the direction he thought best. Since then he had learned such moments were there but there were also the other seasons. Other directions.
Paul, the apostle unto the Gentiles, in the highlight and success of his campaigns had many fellow companions. No doubt many things were lain aside to be there, to be with Paul in action. A memo would be made in all homes. Paul was to visit their ecclesia. They would not miss that. Both young and old would want to meet and talk with this giant among men. It was only natural and right that it should be this way. How sad then Paul had to write at this time, in the season, when small things had to be done.
“At my first answer, (Defense) no man stood with me,” But all men forsook me.” No laying aside of business matters, or the things of this life. No memo that one of the family should try to visit him. No moment in the evening time to take up pen and let Paul know that his fellow companions were with him in prayer. Just small things.
How sad that Jesus had to say almost the same thing to his disciples when he needed them the most. Matthew 26 verse 40, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” Are we found guilty when such observations are made? Called to give a special lecture or some other work that will bring us into the limelight our response is instant. A special mark on our calendar is made to be there when a Paul or a Peter visits our ecclesia. BUT, (and we must insert this little word by necessity that are we not like certain animals that are only seen in certain seasons). BUT, what about the time when God asks us to be in our seats a few minutes before we give service to him. The time or season, we are asked to attend the talks given by a young brother who is making his first effort to preach. Or the brother whose effort is not up to what we expect from the platform but he is doing it because his Master has asked him.
Remembering the words of one brother, “They also serve who sit and listen.”
A note to be made on our calendar that we must visit a brother or sister who is sick or lonely. A word spoken in the ear of one that is burdened with the problems or hardships that you are with them in your prayers, that the Lord will help to carry that load. “What, could you not watch with me one hour?”.
Was Paul trying to tell his brethren and sisters the lesson that Elijah discovered. A prophet, a witness of great things; fire from heaven, great winds tearing apart the mountains. Yet with all this he had to learn that in the life of a servant of God there had to be the small things. God was also in “that still small voice.”
Small things to help others to make giant steps beyond the pitfalls, disappointments, hardships that make up the highway to the kingdom of God.
“And whoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One