I have been spending time in 2Timothy. I was planning on reading and studying the entire letter, but I cannot seem to make it past those middle verses in the opening chapter. Every verse built more truth on top of the preceding one and I found such depth in words like power, ashamed, evident.
As I read verse 10 once again, I found another word I really embraced. “This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” [2 Timothy 1:10 HCSB]
I love words and the word I fell in love with this morning is abolished (katargeó). It means to make of no effect, to be totally without force, done away with, completely brought down.
What a wonderful word, especially so when applied to death! Christ Jesus, our Savior, not only made evident our salvation and holy calling with His life, but through His death, resurrection, and ascension, He abolished our death and brought us life and immortality. What Good News!
I have been reading Psalm 91 and contemplating what it means to dwell in the shadow of the Most High in verse 1: “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.” A shadow cannot hurt us. It provides protection from the heat.
I also remember what David wrote in psalm 23, “yea as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me ….”
Those who believe in Christ Jesus have had death abolished. It has no force to act against us. When our bodies reach the end of their number of days, we walk through the shadow of death into our immortality … all because of our Savior and LORD.
