Line after line and verse after verse we have observed Paul the apostle making an appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus who was Philemon's runaway servant. Onesimus is now a Christian, and Paul believes that Philemon not only should receive Onesimus when he returns to him, but also believes that Onesimus will be a much better servant than he ever was before. We have seen a type of Jesus Christ in Paul as he has interceded for Onesimus, and we have likened Paul's intercession to the way Jesus intercedes to the Heavenly Father on behalf of those who believe and trust in Him as Savior and Lord. Today we see another level to which Paul takes his intercession for Onesimus as we read in verse seventeen:
If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
Now this is intercession indeed! Paul the apostle wrote these words to Philemon who he considered to be a “partner” in the gospel of Jesus Christ “If you count me therefor a partner”. In other words, there was a condition attached. “If” which implies the possibility that there “may not be”, and Paul gives place for that possibility. Nonetheless, Paul says, “If you count me therefore a partner”... “receive him as myself.”
Let's consider those last words for a moment... “receive him as myself.” Paul suggests to Philemon that he should receive this runaway servant and thief as though it were himself who was returning to Philemon. Paul puts himself in Onesimus' place and is willing to receive whatever retribution Philemon might have in store for Onesimus upon his return. Does this sound familiar? Let's look at the following words of Paul found in the book of Second Corinthians in chapter five and verses eighteen and twenty-one:
And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;... For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Paul was being like Jesus for Onesimus. Paul, like Jesus who stands before the Heavenly Father on our behalf, is taking Onesimus' place. In other words, the Heavenly Father looks at us and sees Jesus who interceded for the punishment of our sins. When God could send down judgment upon us for our failures and disobedience, Jesus steps in and says, “Father, receive them as me.” Jesus who did no wrong, Jesus who was perfect in every way, and Jesus who is the only righteous one who may intercede in this manner, goes before the Heavenly Father and intercedes to the degree that He puts Himself in their stead and asks God to receive us.
Paul's striking example of full commitment in intercession should not only humble us, but make us all examine to what degree we would intercede on behalf of others. Perhaps today our meditation question might be, “Who in this world would I put myself in place of that another person might forgive and receive them?” May the Lord help us all as we continue in His word.
Next time we will see to what degree Paul will pay the price for interceding on behalf 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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