"Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached by my gospel." 2 Timothy 2:8

Really, Paul? That is what you need to tell Timothy? Timothy is a pastor! Has he forgotten about Jesus already?

This morning, I need what Timothy needed. I need to be reminded of Jesus. Sometimes I wonder about gospel-centrality – "Are we just reacting to the moralistic seeker stuff of the previous decades?" Then, I open my Bible and I am shaken back into reality. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul tells Timothy: "Remember Jesus Christ." Ahhh. Like water for the soul.      

Timothy needed to be reminded that Jesus is at the center of the message. But the simple things are usually the most profound, so Paul continues: "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead." Like Pastor Tim, we need a constant reminder even today that Jesus is alive! The Jesus we are called to remember is the Jesus who is still living. He is the only person who has ever lived of whom we can remind ourselves of a life, death, and resurrection. Lest we forget the uniqueness of the God-Man, remember Him and that He is alive!

But wait, the rabbit hole goes deeper.         

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David." 2 Timothy 2:8

"Hey, Pastor Tim! Jesus is alive and He is the one who was long promised!" Paul does not want Timothy to forget. There is an eternal King who sits on the throne forever. Jesus' authority, however, does not stop with one nation. Oh, no. The Offspring of David has "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). We must remember that Jesus is our reigning King! "Timothy don't forget." Christian, don't forget! 

From the aging pastor Paul to the seasoned pastor Timothy, both needed to remember Jesus Christ. Church family, friends, and Pastors. We would do well to heed to words of 2 Timothy 2:8 today. Let us remember the simple, central, profound truth of Christ at the center!