Soldier, Athlete, Farmer: Pictures of the Patient Pastor

While Jesus was masterful at sermon illustrations (in His case, often through parables), the apostle Paul wasn’t half bad either. In 2 Timothy 2:3–7, he uses a series of three illustrations to show his protégé, Timothy, what it means to be a pastor and a Gospel minister: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. By pointing out the devotion of the soldier, the discipline of the athlete, and the diligence of the farmer, Paul highlights three key aspects of Gospel ministry. In doing so, he urges Timothy, and anyone who has followed in Timothy’s footsteps, to patient, disciplined service to the Lord. The Devotion of the Soldier A good soldier in any army has to be willing to take his share of suffering and remain focused on the objective. Military service is not about attending parties in dress uniform. It is a matter of life and death, and it involves...