I once sat with a group of teenagers as they devised their own bucket list – not so much what they wanted to do before they died, but more of a wish list. Death was far from their minds. Unlike Paul! He knew his death day was close. What might he have placed on his bucket list?

For him it was a matter of doing what he had always done. He would continue to rejoice. He expects people to go on praying. He expects God to save him, whether this means ‘saved from imprisonment’ or ‘saved to spend eternity with Christ’ (v 19). He hopes, with confidence, to remain faithful to Christ, alive or dead. He will do his best for Christ while he has breath. Reflecting on his well-known words in verse 21, how is he able to say and mean them? He knows what he would prefer (v 23).

Of course, the choice is not his. Fully aware of his pending death, he was well prepared to be with Christ. In many parts of the world, where death is far more present in daily living, people grasp each day as a gift. In our society, that is not always the case. Even many Christians assume that their death is not anytime soon. 

Thank you, Father, that because of your love for me in Jesus, death will be the gateway into your eternal presence. 

The Russian revolution in 1917 ushered in a wave of communist uprisings which swept the globe and helped shape the history of the 20th century. Yet the reality of communist government failed to live up to the ideals and much misery resulted. What was needed was a different type of revolution. At least some recognised this. One early communist was overheard saying, ‘I used to read the New Testament. It is the most wonderful story ever told. That man Paul. He was a real revolutionary. I take my hat off to him!’¹

Our verses today show us the revolutionary Paul and the New Testament message which made him so thoroughly radical. On one level, what he says is not hard to understand. He is faced with two possibilities: life or death. He believes he will be released because he reckons his work as an apostle is not yet completed. Even so, he is torn (vs 22–24). He longs to be with Christ which is ‘better by far’ (v 23). Ultimately, verse 21 reveals Paul’s heart. He is determinedly focused on Christ. 

This may seem simple to understand, but it’s staggering when we truly comprehend it. Can we say the words of verses 21 and 23 along with Paul? Our answer to this question will depend on whether we really believe the gospel as he did. Jesus died and rose again and if you have trusted him you are eternally secure. Do you really believe this? Sometimes our theology is merely head knowledge. It has not permeated deep within, gripping our whole being. For Paul, biblical theology has so captured his mind and heart that he views all of life and death through a gospel lens. As a result he lives as a true revolutionary. May God strengthen us to do the same. 

Pause and allow the challenge of this reading to penetrate deeply. Pray for a deeper understanding, so that Paul’s words in verse 23 become your words. 

¹ Mikhail Borodin, quoted in Peter Morden, Message of Discipleship, IVP, 2018, p171