Epaphroditus: Messenger of Hope
"Still, I [Paul] think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus--my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need," Philippians 2:25 NRSV
Series: Philippians: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation
Devotional: 3 of 5
Imagine the leaders of the church in Philippi sitting quietly in a room, praying for guidance. Men and women who have been faithful to the Gospel, generously supporting Paul and his ministry to the Gentiles from the beginning. As they wait patiently on the Lord to speak, careful consideration is given to who will make the long journey from Philippi to Paul to deliver their gift. Who will serve and care for Paul during his imprisonment?
Led by the Holy Spirit, Epaphroditus stands up and says, "I will go."
Perhaps this is how it happened, perhaps not. Either way, there is much we can learn from Epaphroditus' life and ministry. Who exactly was Epaphroditus? What can we learn from his faithfulness to the advancement of the Gospel?
Looking at Philippians 2:25 NRSV, Paul affectionately describes Epaphroditus as a "brother", a "coworker", a "fellow soldier", a "messenger", and a "minister." Representing all the saints in Christ in Philippi, Epaphroditus was chosen to deliver a generous gift and a report on how the church was doing.
Like Epaphroditus, you and I, as messengers of Christ, have been chosen to go and share the Gospel message with a lost and dying world. Some are called to go to the other side of the world. Some are called to go across the street to a neighbor who looks and thinks differently. And some are called to go across the hall to reconcile a broken relationship with a spouse or child.
Carrying the message of the Gospel to the world around us isn't always a glamorous endeavor. Philippians 2:29-30 NRSV tells us that Epaphroditus "came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that [the church in Philippi] could not give me." He prioritized faithfulness to God's call over his own comfort and safety, bridging the gap between the believers in Philippi and Paul in prison.
In your current season of life, where is God calling you to go as His messenger of hope? What are you willing to endure for the sake of the Gospel? And how might the Lord be asking you to sacrifice your own needs and desires for the good of your community?
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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