Philemon

Be still: Lord today, open the eyes of my heart. Speak to me through your Word. Guide my steps and lead me in your everlasting ways. Amen

Read:  Philemon

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. (v15-16)

Encounter: Philemon, a man of wealth and influence, was flourishing as a new follower of Jesus. He was known and loved by Paul who delighted in Philemon's love and faith in Jesus. But Paul is about to ask him to consider something hugely challenging – to welcome back Onesimus, his slave who had run away, a crime punishable by death. 

In their culture, owning a slave was as natural as us owning a phone or a car. Today slavery is rightly seen as evil, but then people couldn’t imagine society without it.  Onesimus has also become a follower of Jesus and is a great support to Paul, looking after him in prison. But Paul recognises this fracture between Philemon and Onesimus needs to be resolved. And so he tells Onesimus to return to Philemon and asks Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus back without penalty. Paul even suggests that Onesimus should be set free, no longer a slave but a fellow brother in Christ. It was a huge ask, but, in the new humanity being formed and fashioned in Christ, it was possible and right.

Apply: Tom Wright says: 'The gospel … isn’t simply a message of how people get saved … it’s about the Lordship of Jesus the King over the real world, over people’s real lives, over the difficult decisions that real people face.' *

The church is the place where all types of people, from all types of backgrounds, gather as one under the Lordship of Christ. The reality of loving each other is challenging. Some people will have attitudes and ideologies that anger or offend us. Decisions and actions will be taken that hurt us. But because of the love of Jesus, we need, like Philemon and Onesimus, to forgive one another and work together in extending the good news of the gospel.

Devote: Lord thank you that you are the God who rebuilds and restores fractured and broken relationships. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me. If there is someone I need to reach out and connect with, give me the courage and grace to do it. 
* Tom Wright Paul for Everyone:The Prison Letters, SPCK