1076. Onesimus Sent Back to Colosse
Onesimus Sent Back to Colosse
"Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive hint, that is, mine own bowels" (Phm_1:12).
There must have been a heart-to-heart talk between Paul and Onesimus about the latter's return to the place of his former servitude. It was not natural for Onesimus to want to return to Philemon. To be sure Philemon was a true and kind-hearted believer. Yet would he not be just? What else would he do than give Onesimus the full extent of the law? Onesimus had every reason to expect to be punished. He could not criticise even one so good as Philemon, for he deserved all that he might receive.
Paul knew, however, that whatever Philemon might do, there was but one course open to Onesimus. He could not continue, now he was free, to hide himself away from the man whom he had wronged. How could Onesimus serve Christ or Paul with happy heart with an unrighted wrong hovering over him? He must go back to Colosse and correct, so far as he could, his past.
The Book of Philemon is the Letter Onesimus took when he went back home. It was written by Paul, the aged prisoner. Let us at once imagine Onesimus as he neared his former master's house. All was in commotion. Some of the servants had seen the runaway, as he neared the door. They looked knowingly at one another as they said: "There he is–the man who ran away with his master's goods. The scoundrel! What madness brings him back again? Does he not know how he has been hunted everywhere? He is walking into a pretty 'net.'"
There was a knock at the door. A startled recognition by the one who opened it. Then the Letter from the hand of the lastwhile thief was carried to Philemon.
"O joy," said Philemon, "a Letter from Paul." "He is the man I love. For him I would gladly die, that he might live and still proclaim the message of free grace."
The Letter then was read: "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the Church in thy house; grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phm_1:1-3).
"What precious greetings," said Philemon. "It is just like Paul. He is so thoughtful and so filled with love. He always shows forth the graces of our blessed Lord." "But, I must read on:" "I thank my God making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother" (Phm_1:4-7).
"Poor me," said Philemon, "that Paul should so highly esteem my little gifts of love, and my meager care for saints. I wish that I could do the half that he has done. I would that I might have encouraged many more of God's stricken children on their weary way. The little I have done is not the half of what I wish that I might do. But again, I must read on:" "Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my child Onesimus whom I have begotten in my bonds" (Phm_1:8-10).
"What! 'Tis Onesimus at the door. He brings this message from the man I love. And well it is for him he does. Did he not run away with my gold, after I had befriended him in many ways? Did he not trample under foot the precious Blood, and do despite to God's great grace? He oft had heard the story of the Cross, but he spurned it. He deserves the fullest limit of the law. But what is this? I read: 'begotten in my bonds.' Oh, now I understand it all–Onesimus is saved. 'Tis his new faith that brings him back again. He seeks to righten what he wronged. But let me read some more: 'Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the Gospel: but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?" (Phm_1:11-16).
"What wonderful words are these. 'No more a servant, but a brother now, beloved.' So Paul Would have me place the thief above the pale he held e'er yet he ran away. Paul wants me to welcome him as in his stead. Welcome him into the heart of my own home again. Yet it is just what grace can do. I know full well that if the thief is saved he is no more a thief. He is 'born again' and made anew. Were he still a thief he would not stand without at my door."
"Tell Onesimus to come in." cried out Philemon. "My dear young man, I gladly welcome thee. I give thee the hand of fellowship in Christ. I have no fear of thy betraying yet again my sacred trust. Thou art received, no longer as a bond servant, but as a brother of my beloved Paul and as a servant of my precious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thou art welcomed home again!"
"If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee ought, put that to mine account; I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say" (see Phm_1:17-21).
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR