2020-04-17
Good Morning Dear Ones,
A mentor during my years of when I initially was studying the word of God told me that no word, name, punctuation, or number in the Bible is there as a waste of writing space. This notion seemed remarkable to me, so I prayed to God to show me how this is true. It turns out that my mentor was very right! In putting together Christ’s genealogy, I realized that the numbers found in such places as GN 5 and10, the book of Numbers (NU, where names are given of people who happened to be in the same Jewish tribe), and in LK 3 (which gave us further enumeration of Christ’s genealogy) revealed the importance of names given. Punctuation could, if placed differently, greatly alter the meaning of a sentence. It’s easy to understand that if words or names are left out, the epistles might not appear, as the messages they are. Such is certainly the case of the last section of COL 4. The Bible is a very personal message from God to each of us, as well as one of His greatest demonstrations of the unconditional love He has for each of us.
Who were these people Paul greets? Tychicus, characterized as “a dear brother and faithful minister,” traveled with Paul and acted as a representative of the faith. Once Paul was imprisoned in Rome, Tychicus to help encourage the believers in the regions of Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea. He would carry news of how Paul was doing. As we can see, Paul didn’t bring Christianity to the world by himself, but instead, had help. Another person doing the same job on this trip as Tychicus was Onesimus. The latter was formerly a slave belonging to Philemon, a friend of Paul’s. Onesimus had apparently stolen from his master and left. He met Paul, to whom he confessed his wrongdoing. Paul had convinced the slave of the truth of Christian belief. Onesimus decided to return what he had taken from Philemon, knowing that under Roman law, his theft was punishable by death. Paul wrote to Philemon urging him to forgive Onesimus and to either welcome him back but not as a slave or allow Onesimus to remain with Paul to help the cause of Christianity. Paul expressed how fond of Onesimus he had become, and Philemon apparently agreed to let Onesimus remain to help Paul. While most of this story is found in the tiny book of Philemon (PHM), Paul greets him later as part of the team that went in his place to Colossae at the end of COL 4: 7. Aristarchus was a Macedonian from Thessalonica, who traveled with Paul on his third missionary journey through Asia Minor [AC 19: 29; 20: 4; 27: 2]. He was with Paul during the riot at Ephesus [AC 19: 29]. Later, he preceded Paul to Troas [AC 20: 4-6]. As Paul’s faithful companion and friend, he accompanied Paul to Rome [AC 27: 2]. He attended to his friend and shared his imprisonment. Mark, the cousin of Barnabas and the author of one of the synoptic Gospels, also does. Mark hadn’t been allowed to accompany Paul on his second missionary journey, because Mark had “deserted him” at Pamphylia. At the time Colossians was written, it was 12 years later, and Paul and Mark had ironed out their differences. Mark also sends his greetings in COL 4: 10. Paul urges the recipients of this epistle to welcome Mark, if he comes. As time went on, Mark, who had previously been associated with Peter, came back into Paul’s team, and Paul came to admire him, especially during this apostle’s final days. Epaphras, is also a member of Paul’s group. He “wrestles in prayer” for the recipients of the epistle of Colossians that they may stand firm and mature in the belief and fully assured. Mark and Jesu/Joshua (called Justus) are the only Jews on Paul’s team. They have proven to be a comfort to him and send greetings. He appears in COL 4: 11 and is not to be confused with Jesus Christ. Another of Paul’s group and a dear friend is Luke, the doctor and writer of his synoptic Gospel. And not to be forgotten is Demas, who with Luke sent his greetings. Later, Demas deserted Paul “having loved this present world” [2 TIM 4: 10; COL 4: 14; PHM 24]. One last name is mentioned; it is Archippas, who is called “Paul’s fellow soldier” in PHM 2 [COL 4: 17]. Paul urges Archippas to “finish the work you have received from the Lord.”
PRAYER: O Lord, along with all the many lessons You have had for us in this “Knowing God” series, You leave us with one more. We should take time to get to know the people around us. There are some people who are too laid back and reticent to do this, and You show us it’s a mistake. I know a man like this who was out walking his dog, which drew the attention of neighbors. Our dog was very friendly and was well socialized. The neighbors would greet them warmly, but the man never asked them what their names were or talked much with them. Excellent opportunities to get acquainted were missed. By including all the greetings at the end of COL 4 and in other places in the Scriptures, You, Dearest Lord, are reminding us to take advantage of this precious time to connect with each other. In addition, the purpose behind the Holy Spirit commanding me to write this “Knowing God” series is that we should take the time to come closer to You and to let some of Your most faithful servants show us the need for precious relationships. By no means does this mean to pepper people new to us with questions of a personal nature or bother them at inconvenient times. However, being a loving, friendly person is the example Christ set for us. We must also be a person conscious of when there is danger in a relationship with another human. That sounds like a tall order, but we have been created to fulfill it and to remain caring, without letting bad experiences make us bitter. We thank and praise You for giving us the abilities we have and for always being with us throughout our lives. It is in Christ’s holy/mighty name that we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m thrilled that we came through “Knowing God” together and am eager to begin a new series of messages called “The Spirit Speaks.” It is based on the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in GA 5: 22-23. As with “Knowing God,” there is plenty to cover in the new series, and I believe you will enjoy it. Trust me to write whatever the Holy Spirit gives to teach us, as I hope you trust Him. We must remember that we have One God with three personalities and a heap of supernatural powers that He uses for good. God, the Father, seems to be the most remote personality, as we can’t see Him but certainly can see what He creates and does. God, the Son, is the visible likeness of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all Creation [COL 1: 15]. It is He Who took on the likeness of man, came to Earth to show us what God desires of us, and died on the cross (so that mankind could be saved for eternity, justified, and receive forgiveness eternally). Lastly, but surely not least, is God, the Holy Spirit. He was sent by Christ after His ascension to heaven as our Counselor, Who dwells within the spirits of those who believe in Christ. It is He Who communicates God’s will to us and helps send us many blessings for our faithful obedience to the Father. Be sure to look for the beginning of the new series called “The Spirit Speaks” next week. I pray always for each of you to be happy, mature in your faith in Christ, and eager to listen when the Holy Spirit communicates. Each reader matters to me, and that is why I freely give the Holy Spirit the use of my typing skills. Hope to see you next week! Praise and thanks be to our Lord!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24:15
© Lynn Johnson 2020. All Rights Reserved.
<-- Back to Archives