“Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.” (Acts 16:1-2 NIV)
I read this and realized immediately how Paul viewed Timothy’s multi-denominational upbringing as an asset more than a liability. In his short life, Timothy had experienced Jewish culture, Greek culture and authentic Christ-following. Timothy’s mother was what we would call a Messianic Jew and his father was Greek. Apostle Paul was thinking far bigger than just Jewish conversions, he is described as an apostle to the Gentiles. Having a ministry apprentice who was well-versed in both Jewish and Gentile culture, but solid in the gospel would prove to be a tremendous benefit to the global ministry unfolding.
I was personally encouraged by this text. You may remember, I grew up in a multi-denominational home, as well. My mother was a Methodist minister and my father was a devout Catholic. My childhood church life consisted of traipsing back and forth between mass and service, sunday school and catechism. I did this bi-weekly; from nursery school all the way up to my middle school years. I knew it wasn’t normal, but I also didn’t hate it. Instead, I developed a deep respect for the history, devotion and convictions of each belief system: I sought out their commonalities instead of tripping over their differences. By the time I had completed confirmation classes in each denomination, my only real crisis was reaching a decision. In hindsight, I should have delayed my confirmation and continued to attend both churches, but pressure had mounted with my peers and parents alike. It was a precarious position for a people pleaser like myself. Looking back, I didn’t really find my place until I crossed the threshold of Morningside Assembly as a freshmen in college. Even then, I carried my hard-won multi-denominational luggage along with me. Like Timothy, I had finally found my people and I was all in. Today’s scripture affirms the value of my multi-denominational upbringing. It has been a benefit to my ministry, not a liability. But like Timothy, I have learned that all this extra experience comes at a price.
Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who loved in that area, for the all knew his father was a Greek.” (Acts 16:3 NIV)
It reads as though Paul found a treasure in Timothy and scooped him up real quick. Then it seems that some rest stop along the way, he learned Timothy wasn’t circumcised. Paul believed that was going to pose a problem amidst the people group they were trying to reach. (Perhaps Paul struggle with people-pleasing as well?) Paul had a solution, though. He insisted on Timothy’s immediate circumcision, even performed the minor surgery himself. Why? The text supports Paul’s thesis: Timothy’s teaching in the immediate vicinity would be moot apart from circumcision: the local people knew Timothy’s father and so the son would have to prove he was all in. Nothing says surrender like circumcision, I suppose.
I read of young Timothy’s incredibly personal elective surgery and I wince. The sting of separation and sacrifice is all too familiar to me. I have not surrendered a corner of skin, but I have given up homes and friendships, family and funds. I have handed over positions and paychecks, opinions and preferences. I have left behind comforts and conveniences, reputation and rights. We call this the high cost of leadership. When we are called to shepherding, we are called to continual circumcision.
“As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles ad elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” (Acts 16:4-5 NIV)
Timothy’s obedience in difficult things paved the way for their congregants’ obedience in hard things. People only follow when leaders are willing to go first. Timothy turned out to be an effective cross-cultural minister. Under Paul and Timothy’s co-pastoring efforts, the church was multiplied and strengthened.
Later in life, though, Paul seemed to change his tune on circumcision. Much of the book of Galatians is devoted to the matter: calling converted Jews to cease imposing the ancient tradition on new believers. Pauls text reads as though Jews still believed they were saved by surgery, not by faith. (What implications would this inaccurate belief have for women, I wonder?) Paul cleared it up for the Jewish converts:
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision is of any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6 NIV)
I wonder if Paul was remembering what he had pressed upon young Timothy as he penned those words. There is wisdom that comes with age and experience, isn’t there? Often we look back at the passion and vigor of our early years as folly. But I’d imagine if he had spoken with an older and wiser Timothy about his highly personal entrance fee into ministry, Timothy would count it all as loss. That minor surgery was surely the first and least expensive sacrifice in a long list of subtractions as he followed Christ. A lifetime of ministry is saying ‘yes’ to God and ‘no’ to our flesh over and over again with increasing frequency until we go Home. We call this painful process sanctification, and it is exactly how we begin to look more like Christ and less like us. Praise God.
“Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts…” (Jeremiah 4:4 NIV)
Lord, today we thank You for our unique back story, carefully constructed with divine intent. We are beginning to see how You SHAPE us (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences) for ministry from before our first breath. We delight in this truth and choose to see our personal history as an asset rather than a liability. Additionally, Lord, we see how You call us to continual heart circumcision. You are endlessly trimming back our flesh in order to make us more like You. May we willingly lay down whatever You request, convinced of Your sovereign perspective and plan. Let us be cooperative with Your glory. Amen.