in the world, even among those who profess belief in Christ. Even our Lord Jesus Christ
had this temptation:
Á-°From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
(67)
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
(68)
Then Simon
Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal
life.
(John 6:66-68)
This feeling, in my opinion, is what the Apostle has in mind when he states that he was
Á-°
delivered out of the mouth of the lionÁ-?
(vs. 17)
The reference to the Á-°lionÁ-? is from the psalms:
Á-°O Lord my God, in thee have I trusted: save me from all them that persecute
me, and deliver me.
(2)
Lest at any time the enemy seize my soul as a lion, while
there is none to ransom, nor to save.Á-? (
Psa 7:1-2 Brenton)
Á-°(16:12)
They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion's whelp
dwelling in secret places.
(13) (16:13
) Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and cast them
down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: draw thy swordÁ-?
(Psa 17:12-13 Brenton)
Perhaps most people would think that Á-°deliveranceÁ-? would mean personal freedom, and
safety from physical harm, this certainly is not what the Apostle has in mind. The
majority of the Christian life is a battle in the heart; this is where the Á-°lionÁ-? is most
active.
Bibliography
The Explanation of the Holy Gospel according to St Luke, by Blessed Theophylact, published by
Chrysostom Press -
http://www.chrysostompress.org/
. ALL FOUR BOOKS ARE HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED!
Priest Seraphim Dec 11/24 2008.
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture/pentecost-wednesday-28_2008_2timothy4;9-22+luke20;1-8.html
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture/pentecost-wednesday-28_2008_2timothy4;9-22+luke20;1-8.pdf
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture/pentecost-wednesday-28_2008_2timothy4;9-22+luke20;1-8.doc
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