August 21, 2005

SO GREAT A DEATH

2 Corinthians 1:8-14

 

   "Now I would like you to know about the distress which befell me in Asia . I was crushed, crushed far beyond what I could stand such that I feared I would never live through it. It seemed to me that I had been sentenced to death, but this was to make me rely not on myself, but on the God Who raises the dead, Who delivered me from so great a death, and continues to deliver, and I rely on Him for the hope that he will continue to deliver me." (2 Cor. 1:8-10). Through God's greater deliverance Paul could write this letter and continue ministry to the saints – and to us!

   What made this death seem "so great"? Was it death done with flair and bravery? Was it like the Air Force song, "We live with fame, or go down in flame..."? Is that what made it "so great"? Not at all. This death was so awful and imminent, so terrible and impending, he felt doomed to die, such that all hope of escape was abandoned. Yet out of this enormous distress the Lord had delivered Paul. The lesson was that He should trust and rely solely on the Lord Who raises the dead, and in no way depend upon himself.

   The Hebrews were warned that there would be no escape for those who neglected "so great a salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord" (2:3). This Bible word for "so great" is applied only to things. And this greatness is not by a slim or narrow margin by which some contestants win races. This is the greatness of contrast, as James described a ship, "though they be so great...are turned about by a very small helm (rudder)" (3:4).

   This great deliverance was effected not only by God's power but "ye also helping together by prayer for us, that the blessing imparted (Paul's deliverance) to us by the means of many persons, thanks (to God) may be given by many on our behalf" (1:11). Such words further clarify that Paul was willing to lay his life on the line daily. He expressed perfect willingness to glorify the Lord through his life or death, by whatever means brought to Christ the greatest gain. Yet he wished not to be naked or unclothed and proclaimed death as an enemy, to be destroyed only by resurrection (1 Cor. 15:26).

 

Ivan L. Burgener