Dear one,
“Paul, the master disciple” … some years ago this attribution imprinted itself upon my mind. Admittedly, the fuller phrase is: “Jesus is the Master; Paul was the master disciple” and was a counter to those who asserted: the Christian faith sprang from the Apostle Paul, his work and writings. Although his influence and legacy cannot be denied, from my perspective the assertion is errant: whenever I read Paul, I hear Jesus’ words and character, as revealed in the Gospels, resound. Jesus is the Master; Paul was not.
With a view to Paul as “the master disciple,” I am regularly encouraged by what I know of his life, particularly those letters traditionally attributed to him. For instance, near the conclusion of his second letter to Timothy, I delight in his directives to Timothy:
“Do your best to come to me soon … When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:9,13).
Even though he was in prison, even though he often felt abandoned, even though he faced imminent death, he still persevered—still he wanted to learn and do more for the sake of his Lord. For me, his striving “to live the faith” is of great encouragement. Oh, that he was an “eye witness” (cf. 1Corinthians 15:8), lends credence to his words and life; but that he was a broken man; that he struggled to realize desired goals; and that he encountered rejection, even from within the household of faith, provide for me a corrective solace.
As a believer, at times I am led to think: my life should exhibit wholeness, not emotional and physical fractures and fragments; my Godly plans should unfold easily, not requiring the stress and strain of pounding a square peg into a round hole; and most surely, others should appreciate, if not applaud, my words and actions, my wisdom and accomplishments. Ah, but Paul’s life, as the master disciple loudly proclaims: Not so! As he sat in prison, Paul needed to admonish his beloved son and protégé of the faith, Timothy, neither to be ashamed of him nor of his Lord (2Timothy 1:8)—for the power and glory of God are the way of Christ, and His way leads to and is found in and at His Cross.
In his imperfections, in his frustrations, in his relational quagmires, we can see the Master cultivating great and good fruit within and from the life of His master disciple.
Hopefully,
Stan