“Sept 17, 2024 - The Depth of Christian Relationships”

Monday, September 16, 2024

The Depth of Christian Relationships

Reading:  Romans 16:1-16
    
    This may look like a section to skim or skip, yet something important is happening here.  Paul gives an extended set of greetings to the Roman Christians; he obviously knows a lot of them despite the fact that he hasn’t yet visited there.  “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well”(Rom 16:1-2).  Phoebe is a servant (this is also the word for “deacon,” a position of service in the church) of the church at Cenchreae.  She is deserving of honor and help because of her faithful work for Paul and the church.  There is history here.

    Each greeting seems to have a similar kind of story behind it.  Prisca and Aquila “risked their necks for my life”(Rom 16:4).  Epaenetus is “my beloved” and “was the first convert to Christ in Asia”(Rom 16:5).  Mary “has worked hard for you”(Rom 16:6).  Andronicus and Junia are “my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners” and are “well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me”(Rom 16:7).  Paul has a kind word for each person he mentions; these words were surely treasured by those mentioned.  “Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ greet you”(Rom 16:16).  Paul wants the Roman Christians to know they share a bond with all other Christians.

    Relationships matter.  Behind each verse here there is a story of mutual work or late-night baptism or danger faced together or passionate conversations to build each other up.  Paul sees each one as “my beloved” or “our fellow worker”; the connections are deep.  As we work together for Jesus, deep connections are forged that last through the years and despite the miles between us.  We are not alone in our love for Jesus and dedication to him.  Those connections sustain and encourage us through the challenges of Christian living. 

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One Thing to Think About: Do I value my relationships in Christ more than my worldly relationships?

One Thing to Pray For:   Encouragement from my brothers and sisters
 

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