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Titus 3 - Gift of Zeus

In case you don't know, Zeus was the mythical supreme god of the Greeks. His Roman name was Jupiter. I found it amusing that he is mentioned in today's chapter. Additionally, his mythical son is in the same sentence.

Titus 3:13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need.

You see, Zenas is short for Zenodorus, or gift of Zeus. The Apollo reference is pretty evident.

There has been much commentary and speculation about this man, Zenas. Who was this lawyer?

It is thought that he was a converted Jewish Rabbi who, being a believer in Messiah, "separated himself from the Jewish Rabbinical body". Having done so, he now went by the title of lawyer or "expert in the law, one who assists others in legal matters".

It is clear that Paul thought highly of him and wanted to ensure that his needs were met.

I have a friend who is a lawyer, two of them actually. They are both gifts from the true God to me and to others.

Like Paul, I too think quite highly of them and want to see their needs met.

Father, please protect and help my friends Mark and John. Guide their steps. May their lives be profitable in the spiritual as well as the physical. Grant them wisdom and success. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Are you a gift to anyone? Jan
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Titus 2 - Authority

Jesus was asked a question by the religious leaders.

Mark 11:28 And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?"

They wanted to know who'd given Jesus the right to disrupt their way of doing things? What right did this guy have to tell them what to do?

I found an interesting similarity in this chapter.

Titus 2:15 You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don't let anyone ignore you or disregard what you say.

Titus was on Crete to establish order, to teach, to reprove, and to lead. It was Paul who commissioned him, and Jesus himself who commissioned Paul. He had delegated authority.

Apparently he was not an old man, for Paul specifically told him to teach the old men and women. He was to encourage young men in how to live. Interestingly, he is to have the old women, teach the young women; he is not to do it himself. I have no proof, but I suspect it was to avoid even the hint of impropriety.

Paul's directive was for Titus to live a life of example.

Titus 2:7-8 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won't have anything bad to say about us.

Recently I've personally had some criticism leveled at me in regards to my authority. Essentially the complaint is, "Who do I think I am?".

Good question. It has caused me to think on the subject - much. And I do have an answer.

I am a son of the living God, an ambassador of the kingdom of Heaven, a royal heir, priest of my home, and a servant to all.

But in context of the criticism; I am an appointed leader, recognized as such by both our sponsoring church and by the men in leadership of our organization. I give of my time, talents, and treasure, to teach, encourage, correct, uplift and live as an example of a man striving to daily be pleasing to the Lord. I am responsible for those under me and will be judged by God based upon what I did and didn't do with and for them.

Further, I answer to those that are in authority over me, or lateral to me in authority. Just as I will be judged for what I did with those under me, they will answer to the Lord for me and will be judged accordingly.

James 3:1 Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers. You know that we who teach will be judged more severely.

Titus was commanded by Paul to "correct when necessary". He had a clear list of instructions.

They were to;

• Be self-controlled
• Be worthy of respect
• Live wisely
• Have strong faith
• Be filled with love and patience
• Not speak evil of others
• Not be a drunk
• Be pure
• Be submissive
• Not shame the word of God
• Obey and please their master (boss)
• Not talk back
• Not steal
• Be trustworthy
• Turn from Godless living
• Turn from sinful pleasures
• Have right conduct
• Have devotion to God
• Be totally committed to doing right
• Obey Titus (the one over them)

What a list!

Now, if I am conducting myself according to this list, then those entrusted to me by my pastors and leaders are to do the same. That includes the last item - obeying the one over them.

Just as Titus was ordered, the word used is must, to correct whenever the Cretans fell short of the mark on this list, I must do the same when the Holy Spirit prompts me.

Titus 2:15 You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don't let anyone ignore you or disregard what you say.

Heavenly Father, may I know when to correct, and when to stay silent. May I listen to your voice, and not the voice of our enemy. Help me to lead as Jesus would. Help me to reveal you. I want those who see me to see Jesus. In his name, Amen.

Goodnight, Jan
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Titus 1 - Worthless Man

I know a man who claims to know Christ, he quotes scripture very well, memorizes huge passages, yet his words do not match his life. Jesus never repelled anyone, even the self-righteous Pharisees hung around him, albeit to see if they could catch him in a fault.

Nobody likes to be around this guy. But he doesn't get it, he thinks he's some sort of persecuted prophet. He quotes scripture to bludgeon people into doing his will or to appear superior. He is described well in the following passage. He is worthless for doing anything good.

Titus 1:!5b-16, 2:1-2 But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have strong faith and be filled with love and patience.

He's so close, he knows the word and is very disciplined in some things. However, somehow he misses the being worthy of respect, living wisely, and being filled with love and patience part. What a shame, what a waste of a man.

Father, please heal him. Please send someone his way that can show him your true love. Give him the grace to let you lead him, not his view of what you should be doing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What kind of man are you? Jan
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