What does it mean to “intercede” on the behalf of another person? We use the euphemisms “go to bat for”, “advocate”, or “defend”, but how many times do we actually defend or walk through tribunals on behalf of others? Perhaps if your vocation is a defense attorney, there are many occasions, but for most of us there are very few times, if any, that we intercede. Until today's verse, Paul the apostle has been sharing with Philemon his thoughts about him. He has written of Philemon's commitment, example, and love toward God and before others. He has told of Philemon's testimony that is strong in the area of serving others, and Paul concedes his apostolic authority and agedness to ask Philemon a certain request rather than demand it. However, in verse ten of this wonderful book we see the reason for Paul writing. He wrote:
I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Paul is writing on behalf of “Onesimus” whose name means “profitable” or “useful”. Onesimus was a runaway slave who belonged to Philemon. We shall discover that it appears that not only did Onesimus run away from Philemon, but he also stole items from Philemon when he left. Paul was in prison in Rome at this time, and Onesimus by occasion happened to run into Paul there. We should recognize enough of Paul the apostle already to know that everyone was a candidate to know Jesus Christ when it came to Paul the apostle, so it is quite certain that Onesimus was one of those candidates.
Paul the apostle calls Onesimus “my son”, and Paul “beseeches” or begs for, pleads for, intercedes for him to Philemon. Paul feels so close to Onesimus that he calls him “my son”. It's as though all the previous greeting to Philemon has been given in anticipation of this moment, and the care and concern Paul has for Onesimus becomes a great lesson for us as we learn from Paul's strategic delay. Rather than talk about Onesimus first, Paul writes about Philemon first. Rather than beginning this letter with the raw subject of Philemon's runaway slave, Paul speaks of Philemon's manner of living. This provides the platform by which Paul can convey what was probably a very sore topic in the mind of Philemon. In other words, all Paul's greeting was meant to soften the blow.
Paul also informs Philemon as to how he began to relate to Onesimus - “whom I have begotten in my bonds”. While Paul was in prison he had numerous occasions to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Onesimus was one of those people with whom he shared. Evidently Onesimus gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ, and he was now a Christian. Paul's intention was to send Onesimus back to Philemon, and Paul's letter was meant to intercede on Onesimus' behalf.
Can we imagine Philemon's reaction for a moment? What would we be like if we had an employee, a friend, a guest or a family member who ran away from his or her responsibilities and stole from us when they did? Would we forget their name? Would we grimace in agony and anger every time we heard them mentioned in any way? How would we react if someone was appealing to us on their behalf, and not only appealing, but were asking even more from us toward them? This explains part of the reason Paul the apostle did not come as an authority but as the aged one who pleads.
Would we be an advocate for others? Would we seek opportunity to intercede on someone else's behalf? Jesus did. Jesus is our advocate before God the Father. God the Father is merciful, kind, loving and caring. God's very nature is forgiving, and He desires that everyone have a relationship with Him. Our sin, like Onesimus', requires an intercessor, and Jesus is that intercessor. Paul appealing for Onesimus is a startling example of how Jesus intercedes for us. May we humbly receive the gift of our advocate, and ask Him to share with us how we may become advocates too.
Next time we shall look further into Paul's description of Onesimus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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