The importance of the much needed support Paul received from his fellow Christian brothers and sisters as he was entering Rome is really highlighted in this passage. Entering a new place as a prisoner must have brought about anxiety and stress. Being met by fellow Christians and receiving such kindness and hospitality and welcome was exactly the support he needed. Paul found strength and encouragement through them and was ultimately able to thank God for this and keep moving forward.
I see this passage as a message to us to be on the lookout for those that need to be encouraged in their journey and to support them and provide that encouragement to keep them moving forward. I hope we are able to encourage one another in our walk and be a church that is welcoming to those that are sent our way as well. Have a BLESSED week ladies!
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3 comments:
Thanks for your reflection Christine :-)
I've been blessed many times by the words of encouragement and acts of kindness from our ministry and other Christian brothers and sisters in my life. It's so important for me to do the same for others. I wouldn't be where I am today without the people God placed and continues to place in my life.
Thank you Christiane for your reflection regarding today's passage. I can't help but wondering what things were going into Paul's mind. He had been chained and kept as a prisoner for a long time for the crime that he didn't commit. If God didn't put him in this situation, he would have led more people to the Christ. Then what was the purpose for Paul be kept as a prisoner for so long? We don't have whole detail stroy of his life and ministry while he was in captivity. I am sure Paul put his faith in Jesus and never to doubt God's ultimate plan and will. However, I think Paul also had monents of lonliness and disouragement from being isolated from the people whom he loved. In today's short passage we read that Paul was very encouraged by the fellow believers who traveled an extensive distance to see Paul. Accoring to the commentary, the visitors traveled 43 miles from where they lived to Rome most likely by foot. I am sure it wasn't easy journey back then. I remembered what Dulla said when it comes to helping others, it has to cause us something. I think that something is sacrifice because scrificial giving of yourself produces something much greater.
thanks for your reflection, christine. paul was fully aware that he was facing certain death in rome, but what an encouragement it must have been to be greeted by brothers who traveled such a considerable distance to meet with him! it was very likely that paul had never met these brothers in his life, yet such was their commitment to the Lord that they went out of their way to minister to him. like the sermon stated yesterday, christian love is supernatural and entirely contrary to our natural inclinations and impulses. when it is genuinely expressed, as it was in this passage, there is truly nothing more beautiful.
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