A Hidden Treasure
Nestled between the Books of Titus and Hebrews is the miniscule Book of Philemon. The only time we ever encounter this brief letter of the Apostle Paul is once we've checked it off our list of Books of the Bible to read in one year. At best we skim through it. Yet this precious, tiny book is packed with a message we ought not to forget.
In order to understand Philemon, we need to take a step back and remember the author, Paul, and where he came from. Turn back to the Acts 8-9. Take a moment to read through these chapters. Let me break it down to you. Paul (also known as Saul) was the Hebrew's Hebrew; the Pharisee's Pharisee. He was essentially contracted to hunt down and kill Christians. He did so with a "go big or go home" attitude. He did so with fervent conviction and passion. In Chapter 9 we see him on his way to Damascus. Here he encounters God in the only way that God knew would get Paul's attention: high drama. (Based on what I have learned about Paul from the Scriptures, is that the man liked a bit of drama). A burst of bright light, blindness, a man brought to his knees and the boom of God's Almighty Voice. A once fearsome and mighty man is left vulnerable and dependent. Enter Ananias. I imagine that when God called Ananias to restore Paul's eyesight, he must have trembled as he spoke the words of chapter 9 verses 13-14. God gently reprimands Ananias with verses 15-16: "Go and do what I say. For Saul (Paul) is my chosen instrument to the Gentiles and kings, as well as to Israel. And I will show him how he must suffer for me." Ananias went, called Paul brother, and restored his eyesight.
As believers we know that this is the turning point of Paul's career. As a dear lady I know, Virginia Cox said, "Paul had to repeatedly prove to fellow believers that he was a knew man. I am certain that Paul never forgot the crimes he committed against his fellow believers before his conversion, and that became his passion." His passion, to preach the saving Gospel of Christ's love and mercy, became Paul's passion.
Now let us fast forward to Philemon. By now Paul is a respected leader of the Church. Philemon, a wealthy man, is the leader of a house church with a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had sticky fingers. He made off with quite a lot of loot which belonged to Philemon, then he skipped town. According to Roman law, this would incur severe punishment for the slave. By the time we get to the letter which Paul has written to Philemon, it can be assumed that Onesimus had spent the loot which he had stolen, has met Paul, confessed everything, and has now become a Christian. Furthermore, Paul is sending Onesimus back to his master to make amends.
Take a look at verses 12, 15-19.
"I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart....Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever. He is no longer just a slave; but a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you as a slave and as a brother in the Lord. So, if you consider me your partner, give him the same welcome you would give me if I were coming. If he has harmed you in some way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it. I, Paul, write this in my own handwriting, 'I will repay it.' And I won't mention that you owe me your own soul."
A few things are happening within this set of verses. First it is humbling and vulnerable. Paul alludes to his conversion, and Philemon's conversion. He also puts everyone on the same table. Paul knows that Philemon must be seething, and that Onesimus is shaking in his boots.
Notice that Paul calls Onesimus a "beloved brother" and a "brother in the Lord." During this time, once someone became a Christian (minus the ladies) they became equal. There was neither slave or free, and neither rich or poor. They were all at the same table. Co-heirs with Christ. "Brothers in the Lord."
So what is Paul asking of Philemon? He is asking Philemon to remember the mercy and love that Christ showed him when he repented of his sins. Here we see Paul's passion. Extending mercy, grace, and forgiveness to those whom seemingly don't deserve it.
There's more. Onesimus represents us. We, at one time, were in rebellion to God. Just as Onesimus ran from his master after his sin, so have we run from God. It is only through the petition, the Passion of Christ, in His death and resurrection that we are allowed to return to our Heavenly Father. Through this mercy and love, we are made co-heirs in Christ. We are made new.
In order to understand Philemon, we need to take a step back and remember the author, Paul, and where he came from. Turn back to the Acts 8-9. Take a moment to read through these chapters. Let me break it down to you. Paul (also known as Saul) was the Hebrew's Hebrew; the Pharisee's Pharisee. He was essentially contracted to hunt down and kill Christians. He did so with a "go big or go home" attitude. He did so with fervent conviction and passion. In Chapter 9 we see him on his way to Damascus. Here he encounters God in the only way that God knew would get Paul's attention: high drama. (Based on what I have learned about Paul from the Scriptures, is that the man liked a bit of drama). A burst of bright light, blindness, a man brought to his knees and the boom of God's Almighty Voice. A once fearsome and mighty man is left vulnerable and dependent. Enter Ananias. I imagine that when God called Ananias to restore Paul's eyesight, he must have trembled as he spoke the words of chapter 9 verses 13-14. God gently reprimands Ananias with verses 15-16: "Go and do what I say. For Saul (Paul) is my chosen instrument to the Gentiles and kings, as well as to Israel. And I will show him how he must suffer for me." Ananias went, called Paul brother, and restored his eyesight.
As believers we know that this is the turning point of Paul's career. As a dear lady I know, Virginia Cox said, "Paul had to repeatedly prove to fellow believers that he was a knew man. I am certain that Paul never forgot the crimes he committed against his fellow believers before his conversion, and that became his passion." His passion, to preach the saving Gospel of Christ's love and mercy, became Paul's passion.
Now let us fast forward to Philemon. By now Paul is a respected leader of the Church. Philemon, a wealthy man, is the leader of a house church with a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had sticky fingers. He made off with quite a lot of loot which belonged to Philemon, then he skipped town. According to Roman law, this would incur severe punishment for the slave. By the time we get to the letter which Paul has written to Philemon, it can be assumed that Onesimus had spent the loot which he had stolen, has met Paul, confessed everything, and has now become a Christian. Furthermore, Paul is sending Onesimus back to his master to make amends.
Take a look at verses 12, 15-19.
"I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart....Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever. He is no longer just a slave; but a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you as a slave and as a brother in the Lord. So, if you consider me your partner, give him the same welcome you would give me if I were coming. If he has harmed you in some way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it. I, Paul, write this in my own handwriting, 'I will repay it.' And I won't mention that you owe me your own soul."
A few things are happening within this set of verses. First it is humbling and vulnerable. Paul alludes to his conversion, and Philemon's conversion. He also puts everyone on the same table. Paul knows that Philemon must be seething, and that Onesimus is shaking in his boots.
Notice that Paul calls Onesimus a "beloved brother" and a "brother in the Lord." During this time, once someone became a Christian (minus the ladies) they became equal. There was neither slave or free, and neither rich or poor. They were all at the same table. Co-heirs with Christ. "Brothers in the Lord."
So what is Paul asking of Philemon? He is asking Philemon to remember the mercy and love that Christ showed him when he repented of his sins. Here we see Paul's passion. Extending mercy, grace, and forgiveness to those whom seemingly don't deserve it.
There's more. Onesimus represents us. We, at one time, were in rebellion to God. Just as Onesimus ran from his master after his sin, so have we run from God. It is only through the petition, the Passion of Christ, in His death and resurrection that we are allowed to return to our Heavenly Father. Through this mercy and love, we are made co-heirs in Christ. We are made new.
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