Remember Jesus

2 Timothy 2:8 (CEB) · Passing the Flame

“Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David. This is my good news.” — 2 Timothy 2:8 (CEB)

Paul opens this section of the letter with two words. “Remember Jesus.” Not think about Jesus. Not believe in Jesus. Remember him. Paul uses a verb that means to bring to mind, to re-present to yourself what you already know.

Under pressure, the first temptation is to improvise. Invent a new strategy. Calculate a different plan. Paul names a different first move. When the flame is under pressure, go back to what you already know. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and descended from David.

That second half of the sentence matters. Raised from the dead says the worst has already been defeated. Descended from David says this is not a new story. It reaches back through every covenant God ever made.

When the stress of a week pushes you to improvise, Paul’s counsel is simpler than we expect. Go back. Remember. Start there.

What do you already know about Jesus that you can return to this week?

God of memory, teach us to begin again where we have begun before. Return us to Jesus Christ, raised and reigning, the center of every story we find ourselves in. Amen.