Take Hold

[196 words] When Jesus answered a trick question regarding the Sabbath, He answered, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?” (Matt 12:11) The word “hold” here comes from “krateo”—to be strong; to keep or retain; also metaphorically of holding a tradition and even of apprehending Christ as the head of the church (Col 2:19). We can see how you might have to take a strong hold of an animal in a pit in order to save it. Then Paul writes, “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…” (1 Tim 6:12). The word “epilambano” here is to take hold with a special purpose. Perhaps we could consider both words as we take hold on eternal life. We…