While listening recently to the late night programming of an area religious radio station, I was surprised to learn that despite his having survived a devastating storm at sea, ensuing shipwreck and, upon reaching land, snakebite by a normally lethal viper (Acts chs. 27-28), Paul's subsequent ministry to the resident natives was but a reflection of his always living in a state of "victory," happy and ready at all times to share the Gospel!
At this point, one might suspect the speaker's having drawn on the Book of Hezekiah (an imaginary writing of Scripture to which, in our Bible College days, any "far-out" idea or interpretation of biblical text was typically attributed).
Simply stated, it was not easy for the apostle, nor was he adverse to acknowledging the fact of beatings, stonings, imprisonments, false accusations, attempts on his life - all this and more before addressing the difficulties of religious opposition to which he was regularly subjected. Many scholars also believe that his wife had likely left him - perhaps in consequence of his having become a Christian (there is cause for such suspicion that time and space do not here permit). It was not easy, nor was Paul lacking in instinctive response to the realities of physical suffering, weariness of heart and mind, emotional stress, discouragement, disappointment, ad infinitum. For example:
Concerning a time of intense anxiety in relation to the church at Corinth, the apostle later wrote: "I was under all kinds of stress - quarrels with others and fears within myself. But God, who gives heart to those who are low in spirit, gave me strength with the arrival of Titus. This he did, not only by his arrival but by the reinforcement he had already received from you" (II Cor. 7:5-7 NAB; note that Titus had himself been in need of "reinforcement" prior to his providing of spiritual uplift to Paul).
Again, following years of stress, persecution and difficulty (II Cor. 4:8-12;11:23-28) - having indeed "suffered the loss of all things" for Christ's sake (Phil. 3:8) - and now bound for Rome to stand trial for his life, Luke records that "the brethren, when they heard about us, came from as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us, and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage" (Acts 18:15). Simply put, the apostle was "down."
Finally, for some strange reason we have frequently missed the fact of Christ's dependence upon the Twelve, particularly during his time of supreme test. Indeed, his repeated requests in Gethsemane that they "remain here and watch with me" for even "one hour" (Matt. 26:38-40) represented more than the fact that Peter might otherwise find himself vulnerable to "temptation" - although, of course, such entered the equation. At the Last Supper, Jesus had touched on the aspect of their relationship that had now become so meaningfully relevant: "You are those who have stood by me in my trials" (Luke 22:28). In terms of our Lord's humanity, there is more here than sometimes recognized. In his darkest hour, he needed them.
The point is this: As believers, we need one another in terms of mental, emotional and, most of all, spiritual support. Not only so, but as time progresses toward "that day" the need will greatly intensify.
Burl Ratzsch
