Teenage Boy

Acts 16:3

When I say the words, "teenage boy" to you, what comes to mind? For me, I think back to the kind of teenage boy that I was and the mental picture is not a very good one. Throughout my pastoral career however, I have had the opportunity to meet several who are much better than I was at honoring God in their life choices. In our verse today we come across a detail of Timothy's life that runs counter to almost all expectations of the typical "teenage boy" mentality. Now, first, let's try and establish Timothy's age. In the Greco-Roman culture of the day, one was considered a "young man" until the age of 40! So, when Paul tells Timothy is his pastoral letters not to let anyone "look down" on him because of his age, Paul is using a word that tells us Timothy was less than 40 at the time Timothy received that letter. Paul's second letter to Timothy was, at the very least, 17 to 25 years after their first meeting in Acts 17. So, in order for Timothy to the right age when he received the letter from Paul, He is somewhere between 14 and 22 at the time of his first meeting with Paul in Acts 17. I tend to lean to the younger side of this scale, in my personal view, I think Timothy is likely between 14 and 17, but he could be up to 22 or so. With this understanding, how let's look at what else this verse tells us. Paul wanted to take Timothy with him to do ministry, but Timothy's father was a Greek and this means Timothy would not have been circumcised as a baby. So, this teenage boy willing allows Paul to cut the foreskin off of his penis in order to go "on the road" with Paul to do ministry! Just take that in for a moment. Now, think back to the "teenage boy" image you had at the beginning of this paragraph... is that the kind of boy you were thinking about? It certainly is not the kind of young man that I was. I think we need to learn from young Timothy's example and be willing to sacrifice for the work of the Lord. 

Prayer: 
Holy Spirit, touch my heart Lord. Stir in me a passion and boldness to live according to Your Word. Please prepare me to want to sacrifice for Your Kingdom. Thank you Lord. Amen. 

Reflection: 
What kinds of sacrifices have you made for the Kingdom of God? 

What sacrifices is God calling you to make now?