Paul was interested in people and how they served the Lord.
In today's text (Col 4:10-15) Paul takes time to pass on greetings from his co-workers to the churches in Colossae and Laodicea. There are 2 important things we can note in the way Paul does this. Firstly he mentions his co-workers by name, and secondly says who they are/what they do.Aristarchus (a fellow prisoner), Mark (cousin of Barnabas) and Jesus (called Justus), are Jews. He acknowledges that these 3 men are a comfort to him. We can only speculate as to why they are a comfort to Paul (possibly shared Jewish traditions and practices?). Paul also mentions 3 of his Gentile co-workers, Epaphras (intercessor), Luke (our dear friend, the doctor), and Demas. He also sends greetings to the brethren at Laodicea and to a woman Nympha (and the church in her house).
In these verses Paul gives us a picture of a richly diverse church. This diversity is found in the individuals with their different roles, talents and abilities, their different ethnicities, and their different genders.
May we today take the time to reflect on the importance of each and every individual member of the church. Each and everyone of us has been called by name, by God into his church. And each individual member has been equipped to serve the church in their own special way. May God help us to celebrate this diversity and not to stifle it. May God help us to embrace this diversity and not to reject it.
| My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. (Colossians4:10-15) |
(Shingirai Eunice Masunda is a minister of the UPCSA currently pursuing a PhD at the Protestant Theological University in the Netherlands.)
