Joel M Bradshaw

6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.–2 Timothy 4

There’s not a serious reader of the Bible that would place Paul over Jesus in terms of New Testament importance. But most have him as number 2. Easily in terms of numbers and International influence the greatest missionary of all time. If you are a Gentile Christian like me you owe that to what came of one of Paul’s missionary journeys recorded in the book of Acts. And yet God gave this broken man with a sinful past a new perspective. Paul maintained that humility to the end.

It is a regular burnt offering, which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. Its drink offering shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. In the Holy Place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the LORD. (Numbers 28:6-7)

The drink offering is never the main offering. It is the small part at the end that makes everything smell good. I know people that cook with wine or sherry and it gives the meal a unique taste and fragrance. God forbade his people to eat blood, and so no blood would be poured on God’s altar. Red wine served the purpose.

Paul saw his life as that ministry that accompanied the lamb. His existence was to highlight and glorify Jesus, the Lamb of God. Paul didn’t see himself as unimportant, but he maintained appropriate perspective about who is MOST important. He saw his ministry not as the burnt offering, or even the grain offering, but as the drink offering at the end.

Paul’s life was nearing the end. He was writing a letter to Timothy, one he viewed as a son and who would continue on the ministry legacy. What a good perspective to have at the end. Each of our ministries has value and are used by God for his glory. But they are the drink offering that accompanies the Lamb. I need that humility reminder. Maybe you need the reminder that God values you and your service, no matter how small or insignificant you feel it is. Merry Christmas Eve!–JMB