Follow Me Into the Dark (Lent 5, 2025) - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

   To see the full message, scroll to the bottom.  

Among his Jewish community, his name was Saul. Later in the Gentile world, he was better known by his title and his Greek name: the apostle Paul. And he followed Jesus.  

He followed Jesus to places where Jesus, in his humanness, never set foot. Never laid eyes on. Maybe never even heard of. But for every step of the 10,000 miles Paul travelled in 30 years, on foot, by sailboat and by donkey... he followed Jesus. All those days, all those years establishing the Church, just as Jesus had done. Building us up, empowering us just as Jesus had done. Courageously speaking to those in power, caring for those who had none, just as Jesus had done. Challenging human societal walls and fences, correcting people when they were wrong, loving people no matter who they were—this was Paul's journey following Jesus. 

Paul’s journey ended just as Jesus’ had done: taking up his cross. Figuratively speaking. But literally, surrendering himself to the hands of a Roman executioner just as Jesus had done. Paul followed Jesus into the dark.  

Paul’s final letter, the second one he wrote to his dear son, brother, friend, and coworker Timothy, echoes with the heart of Jesus. Paul had become so much like his Rabbi, that near the end of his life—in a cold, dank underground prison cell, abandoned by almost everyone, waiting for the inevitable end—Paul wrote to his young protege, echoing the things that Jesus said from the cross:

  • At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. (2 Timothy 4:16) 

That sounds an awful lot like: 

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. (Luke 23:34) 
  •  ...Hymenaeus and Philetus, have deviated from the truth. (2 Timothy 2:17-18);  Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me. (2 Timothy 4:9); Only Luke is with me. (2 Timothy 4:11) 

That sounds an awful lot like:  

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)

(With this grace-filled difference: Everyone deserted me... But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me. (2 Timothy 4:16-17)) 

  • For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness...   (2 Timothy 4:6-8)  

That sounds an awful lot like: 

It is finished. (John 19:30)

  • The Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. All glory to God, forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18)  

That sounds an awful lot like: 

Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit. (Luke 23:46)

Paul had spent all that time following a Rabbi who, in human terms, he may never have seen. But once Paul did see Jesus, he took up his cross and he followed. He followed Jesus into the dark.  

______ 

Like Paul, if we are to follow Jesus, we have no choice but to follow in the darkness, knowing that He came to meet us there, that He's been there all along, that He will meet us in every step, that He carries the light, and He knows the path.  

We follow Jesus knowing that even when we are in the deep darkness that Paul encountered in that prison... even when we are in the dark, the dark need not be in us.  

We carry His light.  

______

On His last night before crucifixion, it’s easy for us to imagine that group of friends around a table. The streets outside are dark. Within the room, around the table, there's a pool of light: physical light from oil lamps and lanterns. But it's also the light of Jesus Himself as He sits at the table with these men and women who are about to experience darkness like they've never seen it before. These beloved disciples who are going to need to remember this moment of light. So that they can keep pressing through the darkness and come out the other side.  

There was a moment that night when Jesus stood up from the table, brushed the crumbs off of His tunic, and walked out the door. Into the dark. 

It is for us to simply follow. 

To hear the full message: 





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