40 Days Blog - Day 38
Yesterday we were introduced to two of Paul’s co-workers, Tychicus and Onesimus, and today we are introduced to a long list of other workers. Like any team, we find a range of personal circumstances and no doubt personalities as well!
Aristarchus was a fellow prisoner, perhaps chained up beside Paul. Jesus Justus is a comfort to Paul. Epaphras wrestles in prayer. Luke is a dear friend, Nympha is a house church leader. It’s worth noting, of course, that Mark, the cousin of Barnabas is the one Paul refused to take with him on a previous journey (see
Acts 15:37-38). Like any team, sometimes people get it wrong and people are wrong in their responses. We read of the outcome of the personal relationship breakdown in Acts – Paul goes one way and Barnabas and Mark go the other! Now we see Mark has been accepted back into the recommendation of Paul- we think this letter would have been written some thirteen years after the events of
Acts 15. As the years have gone on, Mark and Paul have re-establised their relationship and working partnership. We don’t know the circumstances or how long it took for trust to rebuild. But what we do see is that Paul is not holding a grudge. Instead, Mark has been accepted back and the Colossian church is given instructions to welcome him.
Another challenging mention is that of the church at Laodicea. Calum taught us from the Letters to the Seven Churches that Laodicea was the city and the church that had everything. When Paul writes his letter to the Colossian church, he wants the letter to also be read in Laodicea. Truths we have already read such as –
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… do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. (Colossians 1:23)
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… continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
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… Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
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… Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom… singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)
There is a serious lesson for us here! Despite this best of teaching, some twenty-five years later, the church of Laodicea would be recorded as lapsing into tepid formalism and comfortable mediocrity. We should learn from their mistake.
Finally, there is the curious message to Archippus- “
See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord” (
v17). We have no specific idea of Archippus or his ministry- although see tomorrow’s reading! Yet the injunction is recorded here- a reminder that we all have gifts to give to the church and those around us, that God is does have plans and priorities for us, and that our prayer should always be “
Your Kingdom come" in our life and witness.
A Prayer
Dear Father, thank You that You see each one of us as individuals, that You know our strengths and concerns and You have a plan for us in our personal, family and church life. Help us to work well together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, so that the Good News of Jesus can be shared as effectively as possible. Protect us from becoming lukewarm and strengthen us to complete our work for You. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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