TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30 (CSB): “Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.”
The Apostle Paul is chained, imprisoned – facing possible execution for his belief, his faith in the Lord. He was going through some very trying circumstances, still, he is able to pen these words of encouragement – of joy in the midst of turmoil.
Boy, we live in terrible, troublesome times. Stress, fear, confusion runs high.
· Troubled economy
· World on the brink of war
· Scientists predicting global calamities
· Not many bright spots in this coming year
Yet – Christians in that first century found it no picnic either.
· Cost them their jobs, families – lives
· Slaughtered, used as amusements in the Coliseum, torches to light parties – horrendous things – just because they taught about that rabbi
But, Paul writes of the joy that overshadows the tribulation. So, where does this come from? It comes from God and from one another.
We need each other more than ever in these times. These are not times to draw apart – but to draw closer to one another. Paul uses Epaphroditus to picture this in four areas. We will look at one each day for these next four days.
Without further ado – let’s see these four pictures of what we should be to one another.
The first picture that Paul paints is that of reminding us we are – BROTHERS – THE CHRIST LIFE IS A FAMILY.
A good definition of a brother is “any person closely united to another by some common bond or interest, as of occupation, class, profession, society, etc. One who resembles another in manners or disposition.
When we accept Christ as our savior, we are adopted into the family of God. We become brothers and sisters. No matter the ethnicity, nationality, social standing, or any other form of division we as men can create – the only division God sees is believers and unbelievers. As Christians, we have a bond, a closeness that is not known by any others. We have the same bloodline – the Blood of Jesus Christ.
The concept of brotherly love – has always been held in high regard. The Greeks even had a special word for it – PHILEO.
Jesus commanded us to love one another – and during troublesome times, we need that love. We must draw together – we must realize that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. As we see our brothers and sisters hurting – we must rush to their sides – bringing strength, comfort, encouragement, and love.
So, today muse over the ways that we can draw closer together as brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we show the world a better way – the way of the Master.
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