Philippians 2:12-18

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. (Philippians 2:17, NKJV)

Paul is referring to this: after offering a sacrificial animal on the altar, a Jewish worshiper could make an additional drink offering over the still red-hot sacrifice.  That wine created a puff of smoke that quickly disappeared.

Paul here compares his life to this less significant puff of smoke – while the Philippians’ lives are like the more important animal sacrifice.

What more can we desire than, as our lives go so quickly, we who belong to God should be joyful to be “poured out” for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom and God’s glory. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:6 that he is “already being poured out as a drink offering” when his life is coming to an end.  But he states further in vs 7 that he had “fought the good fight…finished the race… kept the faith.”

That’s NOW. May we be able to say the same!

Magnificent God, Who gave us Jesus.  We thank you with overflowing hearts, that You gave Your Son as the supreme sacrifice, the New Covenant, poured out for many.  May we do the same in whatever ways You show us is Your will.  In strength given by You, may we never resist, being poured out.  AMEN.

Pastor Karla Shafer, Bethel United Methodist Church