Colossians 4

Colossians 4 Devotions
by Pastor Mark Hudson

            I would like us to look at vs. 7-18 for this devotion.  I find it so interesting what God has included in Holy Scripture.  I doubt we would have included the many things God did if we were given the task to inspire a book that would change the world.  I doubt we would include sections like we are focusing on.  But there are several reflections we can contemplate.

  1. Paul needed a team of people who were behind the scenes and unsung heroes to assist him. He couldn’t do it by himself. The task was too great.
  2. Most Christians do not sing or speak into a microphone or lead in front of people. Most of us serve God one-on-one where few people see. But God sees. And we serve the people right in front of us.  That service comes in hundreds, if not thousands, of forms.  Sometimes letter writing, taking food to someone, calling people, writing proposals, counting money, etc.  This is how most of us serve God.  We don’t need a microphone, nor do we need to dress up.  The body of Christ needs more of those people than preachers or musicians.  And whatever role you have, you are serving in tandem with the speakers, writers, musicians whose names are in bulletins, on books, or speak at conferences.  We all serve the same God and we all serve together.
  3. Notice how much Paul loved these people, Tychicus “is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.” That is quite the description from Paul. Paul loved those who served him and served with him.  “Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother . . . .”  Later in v.10, Mark is in Paul’s good graces, so he reminds the church to welcome him.  In v. 11, the Jewish brothers listed above are “my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.  In v. 13, I bear him (Epaphras) witness that he has worked hard for you . . . In v. 14, Luke is not just Luke, but “Luke the beloved physician.”  Notice the people that you serve with or serve you. Some of them have been doing this year after year.  They are faithful, dedicated, loving, and committed to the gospel.  These are rare people.  Don’t take them for granted.
  4. I want to go back to verse 11, “they have been a comfort to me” Paul says of his friends. Paul needed to be comforted. Paul was not superhuman.  He was a human being full of emotions, desires, and fears.  Even Paul needed friends, a good meal, a warm bed, and the encouragement of friends.  Paul got lonely (II Tim 4:9, 11, 21), he got cold (II Tim 4:13) and needed books to keep boredom at bay (II Tim 4:13).  We need to remember we need to rest, get exercise, eat healthy, and we need fellowship.  And just as important, we need to extend that comfort to others.  You may not think you are all that important (who really is?), but you can be significant to the people you reach out to.
  5. I especially appreciate the mention of Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You remember in Acts 15:36ff, Paul and Barnabas had to split up their team over the desertion of John Mark. That had to be so very painful for everyone involved.  But now, Paul is reminding the church that John Mark is a trusted coworker.  In II Tim 4:11, Paul says that Mark “is very useful to me for ministry.” 
  6. Notice the blending of Gentile and Jewish believers. He calls out the Jews in v. 11 (“only men of the circumcision”) and seems to rejoice that Jew and Gentile are worshipping and working together.
  7. Luke, “the beloved physician” was necessary for Paul. If you read II Corin. 11:23ff you can see why this great man needed a doctor to tend his wounds. Paul got beat up almost everywhere he went. 
  8. Tychicus in v. 7 was so trusted he carried several of Paul’s letters as well Onesimus, the runaway slave back to Philemon. Paul trusted him immensely. 
  9. And how Paul loved Epaphras. He is called “our beloved fellow servant.  He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf” in 1:7.  In 4:12, “a servant of Christ Jesus.”  Epaphras told Paul of their love in the Spirit in 1:8 and Epaphras is “always struggling on your behalf in his prayers. . . .”  For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you . . . .” in 4:12-13. 
  10. On a sad note, Demas is included in this list of Paul’s team but that would not last. In II Tim 410, Paul writes, “for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.”

 

          There is so much in these descriptions of servants of God.  Notice how Paul loved so deeply.  Paul was an encouraging person to those around him.  You can see that in these words at the end of this letter.  People who worked with Paul loved him deeply (Acts 20:37-38). You may not have a position or title, but you can also be encouraging, loving, and supportive.  Someone needs you.  More people than you realize need you.  People always need to feel special.  Remind them how God loves them.  Remind others how you see potential in them, or you appreciate what they do.  Some of us say negative things about ourselves; be the person who say positive things. When you think about it, what might an apostle say about you?    

          Father, I have not been and will not be invited to speak, sing, or play at a big venue.  While I thank God for those people, most of us serve You by cooking decades of dinners, going to work each day, mowing lawn, changing diapers, or serving You where no one knows or sees.  But You do.  And the youngest, smallest, or least important in the world’s eyes are worth our time.  Help me to do my part, to be a good servant of Jesus Christ.  Open my eyes so I can so the people around me who are serving You.  May I strive to serve not to be served.  Help me to be content with where You have placed me.  In the name of the One who washes our feet. Amen.