Prison Letters: Sincerely Care (Pt.2)

(Philippians 2:19-30)

“25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.”-Philippians 2:25-30

Epaphroditus was the messenger that the church at Philippi sent to Paul while he was in prison. It wasn’t a random encounter, he didn’t just happen to run into him in prison, but was intentionally sent to minister to Paul’s need. 

The church knew he was in isolation. They knew he was going without some very basic provisions and so they came together to make sure his needs were met. Sound familiar?  We have so many elderly and those with compromised immune systems that cannot get out right now. They too are limited in resource and daily provisions, but if we would unite together we could find ways to meet the needs around us. We have friends and neighbors who have lost jobs or have had their hours scaled back. Perhaps we can find ways to make sure that at the very least their basic needs get met. 

Paul had a lot of fond things to say about Epaphroditus. He called him his brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. Paul recognized that Epaphroditus too had a tremendous love for the church at Philippi and longed to return to them. 

Epaphroditus was committed in his service to Christ and to Paul. He got very sick while helping Paul and nearly died. Epaphroditus understood that it can be risky helping others in need. It is easy to let fear hold you back. What if we don’t have enough ourselves? What if we get sick? “What if” can cripple us from being a light shining in the darkness. When we fear as much as the world does, we blend in, we don’t stand out. Epaphroditus disregarded the dangers that can accompany serving others and made the effort to supply what was lacking in Paul’s life. 

I don’t know if we could have come across two better men to model ourselves after, during this defining moment in history. Paul, himself, points to them as shining of examples of Christ’s love, service, compassion and faithfulness. What a great moment in time for the church to raise up an army of Timothy’s and Epaphroditus’ to shine in the darkness. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church