Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…
Summary: Paul’s joy is an indicator of a special relationship with the Philippian church.
This verse alone tells us a lot about Paul’s relationship with the Philippians. His prayer for them is filled with joy.
Paul’s other letters all convey his love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, but his relationship is different with each one.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:4 – The Source of Joy”
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus…
Summary: As we begin our meditations on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are prompted to reflect on God’s Word as his family album.
I often think of the Bible as God’s family album. Even without pictures, the Bible includes “portraits” of people who are important to God and who are part of his story.
Of course, we are all important to God! He loves us without a doubt! Yet, some people play a more prominent role than others (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).
Continue reading “Philippians 1:1a – One Voice”
Remember my chains.
Summary: When Paul asks us to remember his chains, he has something very specific in mind. When we realize what it is, we discover the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he asks one last thing: “Remember my chains.”
Why?
Why does Paul want us to remember his chains?
Continue reading “Colossians 4:18b – When Paul Met Jesus”
I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Summary: This passage invites us to indulge in the heart of meditation: Imagining what is possible.
This passage is a bit of a puzzle.
Paul is vouching for Epaphras’s work. Unfortunately, all we know for certain is that he is “working hard” and that the work is “for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.”
Continue reading “Colossians 4:13 – Faith in Action”
Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
Summary: Paul’s comment about being comforted by his Jewish companions leads us to consider “Why?”
No matter what you might think of Paul, the objective facts of his life tell a story. Paul is a man of deep passion. In the first half of his life as a Pharisee, Paul is so passionate about eradicating believers from the face of the earth that he chases them all over the Middle East.
How many Pharisees bothered to do that? Did any Sadducees mount expeditions to pursue early Christians?
Continue reading “Colossians 4:11 – Three Jews”
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.)
Summary: This verse provides a peek at life in Paul’s day and the people around him.
At some point, after reading the Bible enough times, a person begins to see things differently. Take Aristarchus, for example.
Paul casually mentions “my fellow prisoner,” Aristarchus. Instantly, questions come to mind: Who is Aristarchus? Why is he in prison with Paul? Where is he from?
Continue reading “Colossians 4:10 – Paul’s Time”
He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
Summary: This passage introduces us to the subject of another letter Paul wrote which we know as “Philemon.” In the letter, we learn about Onesimus and his very interesting life story.
Obviously, traveling alone on foot over one thousand miles is not on the Triple AAA list of “Top Ten Safe Vacations.” Paul himself talks about fighting off “wild beasts” when he was in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 15:32). He also mentions the dangers of traveling by sea (shipwrecks!), not to mention crossing rivers and dealing with roving bandits (2 Corinthians 11:26).
It took courage in those days to venture out, and if we knew nothing else about Tychicus other than he was willing to travel the world to carry a message to a distant church, we would know he was brave. But he didn’t go alone. Onesimus traveled with him.
Continue reading “Colossians 4:9 – Redemption”
I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
Summary: Paul is sending Tychicus on a mission. It is both exciting and challenging. More than carrying a letter for Paul, Tychicus is the letter.
Imagine the world Paul and Tychicus lived in!
In our world, we have phones, FaceTime, texts, mail, cars, buses, and airplanes. If you need to talk with someone who is a thousand miles away there are a lot of options.
Continue reading “Colossians 4:8 – Tychicus’ Journey”
… make the most of every opportunity.
Summary: Christian living can be confusing. People have different ideas about what it means to proclaim the Lord. This passage presents us with an opportunity to ponder what Paul is encouraging us to do.
I have to confess that this passage makes me smile. Making the most of every opportunity sounds like something my dad would have said only he would have been talking about making money, not saving souls.
As it turns out, this is one of those passages with a lot of variation in how it is translated. For example, the 21st Century King James Version translates the verse this way:
Continue reading “Colossians 4:5b – Opportunity Knocking”
… and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Summary: Paul continues his admonition to obey our earthly bosses with detailed instructions as to how we should serve them.
In our last meditation, we looked at what it means to be a servant. Essentially, the modern-day equivalent is having a job.
If we look at Paul’s text that way, it is easy to see that his words still have value.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:22b – Serving Jesus”