Hymn to Christ

1 Timothy 3:1-16

As I began reading this chapter, I found myself thinking something like
this -
I'm not a church leader, nor do I aspire to be one. . .

I fell into a "them vs. me" mentality. Then I came to verses 14 and 15:
"I am writing these things [so that] you will know how people must
conduct themselves in the household of God." I realized there is a
challenge here for all of us in the Family, whether or not we are in
positions of leadership -

Be known for our faithfulness.
Don't be quarrelsome (as in "I want to have the last word").
Rather, be gentle and always exercise self-control.
Avoid malicious talk.
Be hospitable.
Develop a truth-based mindset.
Beware of pride.
Be people of integrity who always have a clear conscience.

How can we possibly live up to such a standard of godliness? Paul
points to our true and only source of strength - have confidence in
Christ Jesus.

Verse 16 is in poetic form, probably from an early Christian hymn -
We praise Jesus, first of all, because he became one of us. Colossians
2:9 says, "In Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body." As
the perfect God-Man, Jesus knows our struggles and our pain. "This High
Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same
testings we do, yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15 ).

Next, this hymn to Christ says he was "vindicated by the Spirit." It
was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus was raised from the dead (Romans
8:11). All that he had claimed regarding himself was proven true.
Consider these words from Matthew 16:21 - "From then on Jesus began to
tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to
Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands
of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law.
He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the
dead." He said that on the third day he would rise, and he did! We can
believe Jesus when he says, "Everyone who looks to the Son and believes
in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last
day" (John 6:40).

"He was seen by angels." I imagine a great company of the heavenly host
descending to earth the moment Jesus was born, singing, "Glory to God
in the highest." Next, perhaps, the angels had a glimpse of Jesus on
the mount of transfiguration, as he spoke with Moses and Elijah (see
Matthew 17:1-9). As Jesus struggled in prayer on the Mount of Olives
the night before his Crucifixion, "an angel from heaven appeared to him
and strengthened him" (Luke 22:43 NIV). Angels were at the empty tomb.
"Why do you look for the living among the dead?" Two angels stood with
the apostles as they watched Jesus "taken to heaven in glory."

A prayer from the Holy Communion liturgy:

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all
times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father,
almighty, everlasting God. But chiefly are we bound to praise thee for
the glorious resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who by his
death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath
restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious
name, evermore praising thee, and saying:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy
glory! Glory be to thee, O Lord most high! Amen.

Deetje Wildes