Honor Your Epaphroditus
Who is standing with you in your trial? In your refining fire? Who is embracing personal risk for the sake of caring for you?
Epaphroditus stood with Paul. But in the big scheme of things, he was no Timothy. He was merely a delivery boy. The Philippian church had money to send to Paul and he raised his hand.
The cost was great. With more than 700 miles from Philippi to Rome, Epaphroditus had a lot of walking to do. If the weather was good, and if there were no complicating factors, this trip would take six weeks.
But there were complicating factors. Epaphroditus, the delivery boy, got sick. He was the carrier of the money, but he had others traveling with him. Some of the party returned to Philippi to share the news. He surely could have passed his job to someone else, but he didn't. He pushed on.
He pushed on until he completed his job and laid the money in Paul's hands. At this point, he collapsed. He was sick, so sick. Sick with an illness that kills.
Paul and Timothy do their best to care for him, but there is little that they could do. It would take a miracle. It would take God's mercy.
And God did have mercy. Slowly Epaphroditus began to recover. His recovery took time. At first he could only look out the window into the Roman street below. Then he was able to walk a few steps.
Over time, his strength returned.
As Epaphroditus recovered, he had hours with Paul. He told him his story. He told them about his friends in Philippi. He became more than a delivery boy. He became a brother to Paul. And Paul marveled at his courage. He saw in Epaphroditus a ...
~partner in the gospel,
~one who was willing to take the low place,
~one who came to serve.
and your messenger, and minister to my need,
Epaphroditus is getting better now, and he wants to go back to Philippi. He's homesick. But more than this, he's worried that his friends are worrying.
Between conversations, while Epaphroditus rests, Paul writes. When the parchment is sealed, Epaphroditus is well. It's time for him to go home.
He has another 700 miles to cover and a letter to deliver.
Tucked within lines of encouragement, exhortation, and the innumerable glories of Jesus, is a commendation of a delivery boy who raised his hand and suffered the consequences. Paul honors Epaphroditus by telling his story and telling the church in Philippi how their brother has blessed him.
Paul honors this one who laid down his life.
Who is standing with you in your trial? Who is embracing risk, counting the cost, and enduring loss for you?
Would you take a few minutes to honor your Epaphroditus? Write a letter, make a phone call and tell your Epaphroditus what he or she means to you.
And here's another idea. In the comments, write a sentence or two about your Epaphroditus. Honor your Epaphroditus publicly. And then share it with that person.
Can you imagine how humbled Epaphroditus must have felt when his friends in Philippi gathered around to hear Paul's letter read? Can you imagine the tears that must have pooled in his eyes when he heard Paul's words for the first time ... my brother and my partner in the gospel?
Would you take the time today to honor your Epaphroditus?
Thank you for joining me Riverside today. Daily we're gathering with the church of Philippi and listening to the letter he wrote to them. This church was started when a small band of praying women welcomed Paul and Timothy by the Riverside. Lydia's heart was opened to hear what Paul had to say. She welcomed the good news, was baptized, and then opened her home for Paul, Timothy and others. My prayer is that your heart is opened to what God wants to speak to you. If you have questions, want to tell me a bit of your story, or need prayer, would you please write me at cynthiafin@gmail.com? I would love to hear from you.