Paul the apostle was winding
down his words to the Colossian church and began to name certain
individuals who were ministering with him while he was in prison. We
early learned of “Tychicus” who was a “beloved
brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:”
who was instrumental in not only carrying this letter to the
Colossians, but also served as a reciprocating communicator of Paul
and the Colossian' church conditions. In chapter four and verse nine,
Paul mentioned another person who was with him, “Onesimus”,
and we learn what Paul thought about him. We read:
With Onesimus, a
faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
The
verse begins, “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved
brother, who is one of you.” The
name “Onesimus”
means “profitable or useful”, and he was “with”
Tychicus as he traveled. We
learn more concerning “Onesimus”
in the book of Philemon where he is mentioned as a runaway slave from
Philemon to whom that letter is addressed. Paul called him “a
faithful and beloved brother”
which means “trusty, easy to be relied upon, esteemed, dear,
favorite, and worthy of love” individual which seems quite contrary
to his running away from his master Philemon. However, we learn in
the book of Philemon that “Onesimus” became a believer in
Jesus Christ when Paul met him in Rome. Part of the reason “Onesimus”
was “with” Tychicus was to return to his master as a converted,
humble and useful servant. Paul also mentioned that “Onesimus”
“is one of you” which appears to mean he was a Colossian.
The verse goes on to say, “They
shall make known unto you all things which are done
here.” Once again Paul
includes the duties of the men who are traveling to see the
Colossians. “They shall make known unto you”
or “to become known, recognized, to know, to gain knowledge
of, have thorough knowledge of” “all things which are done
here” which refers to “all the activities and conditions
which are in Rome where Paul was located”. Not only were these
faithful men to discover the activities of the church of Colosse, but
they were to reveal the conditions of Paul as well.
As we ponder Paul's words
concerning “Onesimus” we should allow our imaginations to
run wild. What was it like to have a man who has not lived up to his
name, “profitable or useful”, now not only a part of the delivery
of this letter, but to serve as an information gatherer for Paul? Is
it really true that this runaway slave was the traveling companion of
Tychicus who was given the task of delivering this letter of which we
read the words today? Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can change a
man and alter his position and character to such a level as to turn
from being a “runaway slave” to a “a faithful and beloved
brother” who is a “converted
courier” of the letter of Colossians. The next time we wonder if a
person can really be changed, let us remember “Onesimus”
who became one of God's agents for sharing His gospel around the
world.
Next
time Paul shares about a few other men who were with him, so read
ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment