The new day greeted his eyes early. He stretched and shook off the sleep, but then, remembering why he had wanted to get up at the crack of dawn, Philemon jumped out of bed and began his day’s duties.
His first task was to open his window and turn his gaze toward the rising sun, offering his prayers to the God of his salvation. He had been a believer just about two years now, and what a difference it had made! What an incredible change had been brought about in his life since that day that the traveling preacher, Paul, had stopped by Colossae and had spoken of Jesus Christ! So many changes, so much growth! Philemon could scarcely list it all.
Why, his marriage had been changed, for one thing. His wife, Apphia, just seemed more loving, more cheerful. And she said that he too was a far more considerate husband. Why, in the old days, he had exercised his right as a citizen of the Roman empire, and he had told her what to do, day in and day out. Philemon did not suppose he would ever have done so, but the law said that if she were to become disobedient, he could put her to death. But now? The farthest thing from his mind. Apphia! He looked back from his prayer window and saw her still slumbering, and felt such love for her. Together they had become believers; together they had joined the church in Colossae, and together, when the group grew too large for the modest home in which it had bean meeting, they invited the church to meet in their own spacious home. What a joy to have such a partner in the things of the Lord!
Philemon turned to pray again. He thanked the Lord for Apphia, and for Archippus. What a fine young man his son was turning into! Archippus had received the Lord not long after Philemon and Apphia, and he made his parents so very proud, because he had gone out into the city and had won others to Christ. He had gone among his young friends, out in the taverns and the sports arenas, and had witnessed to his faith. Archippus was really on the march for the Lord, and Philemon gave thanks!
Next this one of Colossae’s leading merchants turned his prayer toward this day and all that would happen. This day, as every Lord’s Day, the Christians would be gathering at his home to sing songs and to pray, to hear someone recite for them some of the teachings of Jesus. And they would end the day with the remembrance supper, breaking the bread and passing the cup, as they did every Lord’s Day, to remember Jesus until He comes again. For they never knew, you see, whether that great moment might happen before they should gather again! It might be today, tomorrow, next week, but they would be ready! Praise His name!
The worship which would be held in Philemon’s house was always wonderful, but today was especially important. Today was without precedent. Today there would be a message to the church, sent by the great missionary Paul. What an honor for our little church to have a special letter sent from Paul! How could he have taken time for us? Why, there are so many churches springing up all over the Empire. And he is way off in Rome, under house arrest, awaiting trial. Surely he needs time to prepare his case. Surely he is using his energies to strengthen the church in Rome. How could he pay attention to us, here in Colossae?
But they had heard several weeks ago that Tychicus, one of their own, and a fellow traveler with Paul, was coming to see them, and that he was carrying a letter, just for them. Only yesterday one of the believers, who had been down the Lycus River Valley on business, had come back and had reported that Tychicus and someone else were in Laodicea, just a few miles away. They were resting there and were expected in Colossae this very Lord’s Day.
Philemon wondered for a moment who was accompanying Tychicus. Somehow no one had given him the name of the other visitor. Too bad! He would surely want to introduce him properly to the church! Oh, well, not to worry. There would be time to meet the stranger.
Philemon lingered a little longer at his prayer window. It seemed as though there was something else for which he wanted to pray. What was it? Something, someone, what was it that he had thought the Spirit was calling him to pray about?
Oh, well, again, not to worry. If it is important, it will come back to mind. And besides, there is so much to do today to get ready for worship. We’ve got to get the atrium cleared; we have to set up some chairs. We need to be sure there is plenty of room; should be a good crowd today.
Oh, Apphia! Apphia, wake up! We need to bake plenty of fresh bread today, so that there will be enough for the Lord’s Supper. If you can get started on that, I will go to the wine cellar and prepare the cup to represent His spilled blood. We must be ready. We must have enough. We must do our church work, now. Now, Apphia!
Philemon was so busy the rest of the morning that he scarcely noticed it when the gate to his courtyard swung open and a few of the brothers and sisters arrived. He put each one to work as quickly as he could. Archippus was to get a few together over in the corner to practice their singing; today they would sing one of the psalms of old Israel. Not the day for new music or for experiments. Not when distinguished guests are coming. The music today should be dignified! Philemon worried a little about the tensions in the church among those who wanted to stick with psalms, those who were busily writing new hymns, and those who just threw back their throats and let fly with spontaneous shouts. How would they ever get all of these different styles together?!
But now was not the time to worry about that. He got Archippus going with the singers, and started the really back-breaking work of moving chairs and couches and tables into place. Philemon summoned some of the others to help; he was getting a little old for this kind of thing. How he wished he had the young, strong slave Onesimus to help out with this task! How much he needed those sturdy legs and those brawny arms! How awful and ungrateful it had been of Onesimus to have run out on him! And not a word. Not a peep. Where could he have gone?
Philemon straightened his back from lifting something and looked around at how much work there was yet to do to get ready for the church to meet. It made him bitter to think of all he had done for Onesimus, and this is the thanks he gets! A runaway slave! Why, do you know what the law said about that? The law said that not only could the master put to death the runaway slave, but more than that, if he even suspected the other slaves in the household of colluding in the runaway, they too could be put to death. All of them. Men, women, and children, all of them. That’s what the law allowed.
Philemon caught himself. That’s what the law allowed. But the Lord Jesus had said, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another." Love. Hmm. Well, actually, to be technical about it, Jesus had said, you are to love one another within the Christian fellowship. Technically, you don’t have to love everybody, do you?
Well, thought Philemon, there’s no use crying over spilled milk. He’s gone, and that’s that, and I had better hurry and get everything ready. We don’t want Tychicus to have to read Paul’s letter in the middle of chaos and confusion! And we certainly don’t want this new person, whoever he is, to get a bad impression. After all, we Colossian Christians have got ourselves together!
There was a stir at the gate. Someone was coming; others were hurrying over to speak to the newcomers. Ah, this is it! There is Tychicus. Philemon could see him, standing a head taller than the others, smiling, embracing, and greeting. Philemon sprinted over that way himself.
"God bless you, Tychicus. We’ve been waiting and preparing for you. We are so excited to hear what news you bring from Paul." Philemon was so intent on greeting this dear brother that he did not at first see who was standing just around the gatepost. He flung his arms around Tychicus and held him in
a long embrace, only to feel someone tugging at his sleeve.
He looked to his side, and there was his son, Archippus. "Dad, look. Look at who has come with Tychicus."
Philemon could hardly believe his eyes. There, big as life and brazen as you please, was Onesimus. His slave. His runaway. Standing there with downcast eyes, looking for all the world like a lost puppy. Onesimus, here, now? But how.? Why? Where did you come from? Where have you been? Why did you show up right now, I don’t have time, I can’t deal with, I ...
Tychicus held out his hand. In it was a small scroll. "Read this, Philemon. It’s for you. It will explain everything."
Philemon looked at Tychicus; at the scroll; at Onesimus; at the others standing around. A scroll? For me? Who is it from? What is it?
"It’s from Paul, Philemon. It is a letter for you."
For me? But you are to bring a letter to the church, not just to me. We’ve gathered to hear you read Paul’s admonitions for us all. Not private things.
"Philemon, please read it. Read it now. It deals with Onesimus. It’s important. In fact, it’s important for all of us. Maybe you should read it aloud, Philemon."
Every eye was on him. Every ear seemed alert to hear. What else could he do? Tychicus was smiling so kindly. Very well, I will read it.
"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus ... to Philemon our dear
friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: I appeal to you on the basis of love ... for my child, Onesimus. I am sending him, as my own heart, back to you. I am asking you
to receive him back into your household, but not as a slave. As a brother.
If Onesimus has hurt you or cost you, I will pay the bill, although you do owe me your very self already. This man Onesimus, whose name itself means useful, was useless for a while. But if you will take him back as a beloved brother, Philemon, he will be more useful both to you and to me than you could ever have dreamed. Do this for me, Philemon. Do this for Christ."
Philemon was stunned. How.. where.. Paul .. Onesirnus.. how did they get together? What is going on here?!
Tychicus broke the silence. Philemon, why don’t we pray about this? Can we just ask the Lord for guidance in this matter? Let’s pray about what God wants us to do.
That was it! That was it! That was what Philemon forgot to pray about earlier that morning! He had planned to pray that God would bring Onesimus, wherever the rascal was, to justice. He had planned to ask the living Lord to convict this ungrateful slave and make him toe the mark. But he had forgotten to pray about Onesimus! And now he was asked to pray in front of Onesimus, in front of the whole church.
Tychicus began the prayer, "Lord of heaven and earth, before whom all men have become free, we thank you for bringing these our brothers together. You who are always about reconciling us to God and to one another, will you work in their hearts right now, to heal this brokenness? In the name of Him who broke down the walls of partition, even Jesus Christ. Amen."
They were waiting for Philemon to pray. He tried. But the words stuck in his throat. He tried again. But he felt hot, embarrassed, pushed, threatened. Silence, only the breath going in, going out. He kept his eyes tightly closed, still trying to form the words that his heart wanted to utter. The old man felt a hand slip into his. A rough scarred hand. A hand marred by years of hard work, a hand wounded by the place where the slave chain had dug in. It was Onesimus, and he was praying! "Forgive me, my Lord, for all I have done against Philemon. Forgive me, O Christ, for my selfishness. Forgive me, O Holy Spirit, for not giving my brother the chance to make me his brother. Forgive. Forgive."
Without a word, for there are times when words cannot express it, the master of the house, the convener of the house church, Philemon the prominent man of the city, lifted his slave’s hand and clasped it to his bosom. His eyes misting with tears, he used his other hand to raise the younger man’s still downcast face. "My brother. My brother. Christ has made you free. And you are free indeed; but you are mine, and I am yours. Forever. In the Lord."
God invites us to become involved in his work. What is His work, and what will He invite us to do?
God invited Paul to become involved in His work. Paul’s call from God was to become involved in the work of encouragement. Paul had to confront Onesimus with his misdeeds. Paul had to confront Philemon about his anger. But Paul heard God’s invitation to become involved in the work of encouraging others to do the right thing, even when it costs them.
And Paul’s reward, as he himself tells it, was a heart refreshed. For Paul to know that he had brought about reconciliation, even though he was caught in a prison cell in Rome, was reward enough. God had invited Paul to become involved in His work, and Paul heard and had his reward.
God invited Philemon to become involved in His work. Philemon had already become deeply involved in church work, but God invited him to become involved in something better: in the work of the church. God invited Philemon to lift up the fallen, to suffer with those who suffer, to let the captives go free, and to comfort those who are oppressed. God invited Philemon to become involved in the work of ministering to others at their point of need.
Philemon’s reward was a brand new brother. A fellow laborer rather than a slave. A partner in the things that matter, one who would be even more useful and more productive than ever before. Philemon found that when you accept God’s invitation to become involved in His work, you gain far more than you ever spend or lose.
And God invited Onesimus to become involved in His work. God invited Onesimus to climb out of his lowly station, to get past his past, to go beyond complaining, to quit grumbling about his lot in life. God invited Onesimus to the greatest work of all, the work of becoming somebody who, despite every disadvantage and every handicap, becomes useful for the Kingdom.
I am sure that years later when Onesimus was the leader of the church in Ephesus nearby, doing church work, he would read his copy of the little letter to Philemon, and would remember that God invites us all to become involved not just in church work, but in the true work of the church: in reconciliation, in ministry, and in building lives. God invites us to become involved in His work. And the results and the rewards are beyond measure.
