EPAPHRODITUS : An Exemplary Servant of Christ
EPAPHRODITUS : An Exemplary Servant of Christ
“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus , my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger , whom you sent to take care my needs.”
Philippians 2: 25
It does not matter how humble is the work you do in the ministry , as long as you serve with all your heart, the small task you contribute becomes a blessing to many. It does not matter whether you are only a dishwasher or a cook in a discipleship ministry as long as you serve with great joy , the Lord will bless the work of your hands.
Epaphroditus is just a messenger in the ministry of Apostle Paul. Paul was able to receive the gifts and messages of the Philippian Christians through Epaphroditus. Paul’s material needs were amply supplied with the help of Epaphroditus . A continuous flow of communication between Apostle Paul and the Philippians were made possible with the help of Epaphroditus .
One must be courageous enough to do the work of Epaphroditus. In performing the task of being a messenger , Epaphroditus life was in danger, since Christianity is under persecution. Epaphroditus has a very risky job as a messenger of Apostle Paul because it is an underground job. In other words, in doing the ministry of a messenger, Epaphroditus is risking his very own life.
Epaphroditus is indeed a great brother in the Lord , and an exemplary servant of Christ. I believe he is doing this ministry because of his great love for Apostle Paul and the Philippian brethren. He has a great compassion and concern for Apostle Paul. He is even willing to die for him. This kind of brotherly love is not very common in today’s modern churches. This kind of brotherly love must be emulated by today’s Christians. If only modern day Christians will have this kind of brotherly love, the churches of today will never be a stumbling block.
Another notable about Epaphroditus is his great concern for the Philippian brethren. Epaphroditus was distressed when he had known the Philippians had heard him ill. He did not want to give causes of anxieties to his dearly loved Philippian brethren. He is worried about making the Philippians worry about him.
Epaphroditus is indeed a great Christian worker, a courageous servant with exemplary brotherly love for the Christians. If every Christian of today will be like him, much greater number of people could have been attracted to Christianity. If only every Christian will love like him, our churches will never be a stumbling block to the world. Our churches will truly be heaven on earth. Then we can truly say the Kingdom of God is among us.
