Good morning from day 2 in Seattle. I had a great day yesterday, full of meetings, preparation and planning. Also had a little time to run into Seattle and see a few sites. The view in and around Seattle is breathtaking. A stunning combination of vast lakes, open seas, soaring spruces and in the distance craggy peaks dusted with snow. A beautiful juxtaposition for the eyes to process. Pikes Place Market is another must see. A conglomeration of old warehouses turned into a labyrinth of trinket shops, cafes, specialty food shops and of course fresh fish stands. Pikes Place is home to the famous fish shop that the best selling motivational book “Fish” is based on from back in 2000. This little fresh fish booth makes the mundane tasks extraordinary and have all sorts of fun with their customers. All so fun to see. Travel is a blessing to me. To be able to see all that God has made is a treasure. It’s a big planet and God has done amazing work all over it, I pray that He will allow me to see much more of it!
This morning we come to one of the most remarkable books in the Word of God, the book of Philemon. As I read Philemon, I can’t help but think Paul never would have intended this letter to be included in God’s Word. It’s so raw. So pure. It is as close as you can get to reading a personal letter from Paul. As you read the book of Philemon, imagine that you are standing behind Philemon, reading over his shoulder. Imagine you’re there as he unrolls the parchment and begins to read the words. It is that personal and heartfelt.
Paul wrote this from a Roman prison, and it is one of the 5 ‘prison epistles’ that also include Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Paul wrote it to a man named Philemon who lived in Colossae. In our modern day that is in a desolate desert region of Turkey. It’s a short letter, only 1 chapter and only a succinct 335 words.
Philemon above every other book in God’s Word is a story. It’s a picture in words. A portrait of slavery, freedom and substitution. Because of this, I’m going to do something a little different today. I’m going to tell the story of Philemon as a narrative, a story. Please do not accept or consider this as substitute or addition to the Book of Philemon or God’s Word. There is no substitute for God’s Holy Word. Simply consider this a colorful telling of this emotional story of finding true freedom.
Finding Freedom
The road was dry and dusty. His sandals were caked with dirt, coating his feet, making a grit that he could feel on the soles of his feet. He was on the road to Ephesus. Philemon made this trip once a month for goods, trading and business, and he always relished the experience. The big city. The city of Ephesus was certainly something to behold. The city was full of life and excitement. It was second in population in the Roman Empire, only behind Rome. The views from the harbor were amazing, the ships seem to be coming day and night. A steady flow of masts on the horizon, bobbing on the sea. He recalled walking the beautiful white marble main avenue of the city. A beautiful wide street teeming with life. The marble for it was quarried from nearby Mount Prion and was in itself, reason enough to warrant his monthly trip. But then there was the temple. The temple of Diana. What a sight it was. The largest Greek temple ever constructed, and it was walking distance from his home in Colossae. It was simply amazing to see. A whopping 418 feet long by 239 feet wide, it was the single biggest building Philemon had ever seen. The 127 graceful columns stretched to meet the portico and of course then there was the statue. Inside the temple resided the idol to Diana, the goddess of fertility. It was something to behold. The heathen, vulgar ‘worship’ that took place at her feet was something of another world. Philemon did not understand the heart of man. His desire to worship a God, yet so misguided as to serve himself in the process. He thought about a true God. What would that God be like? What would it be like to worship one true God?
As Philemon walked on, he reflected on his life. Life had been good to him. He had been fortunate to have a keen mind for trading and since a youth, he just had a knack for generating profit. He had built himself a nice life. A large estate, a spacious home and many slaves. His wife Apphia and his son Archippus were tremendous to him. His greatest loves, so dear to his heart. But as he thought, that feeling crept back in. The void. Even though he had all that you could desire, he desired more. But as he accumulated more wealth and more slaves to complete his work, the feeling would not alleviate. Not only that, but the feeling seemed to be getting worse. More intense. A burning, a yearning. But for what?
As he crested the final butte, he gazed upon Ephesus. What a sight. The low clouds had parted and the sun’s rays peaked through, illuminating his path. Today was going to be a good day, he could feel it. He made his way through the gates of the great city and to the vendors, he was parched. Now for a drink of cool water and a good rest. His pattern was always the same. Purchase a skin of water and then head over to the school of Tyrannus. The school always had some of the most current philosophers of the day and it always interested him to hear of their thoughts on life, the world and sometimes their thoughts of God. He purchased his water and took a few long drinks. After his long, dry walk this was always a sweet moment. When the water touched his dry tongue, it seemed to leap to life. Reviving him and quenching the need for something deep within. Water was what he needed and nothing else would suffice. He enjoyed another long pull from the skin and headed down the side streets to the school.
Within the hall there was already a large crowd. Larger than normal, he noted. The amphitheater seating offered all a great view of the speaker and the careful placement of the ceiling allowed for everyone to hear easily. The Romans definitely knew how to design efficient and beautiful buildings. A few minutes later a man walked in and began speaking. He did not look like the other teachers he had seen here before. This man looked like a common laborer. His clothes were ragged at the edges and needed a wash. Philemon wondered how he had come to be allowed to teach here. Maybe he was just introducing the teacher? The man proceeded in his speaking and he spoke with great authority and zeal. He wasn’t so much teaching as he was telling. The message he delivered was new. This wasn’t philosophy the man was speaking of but religion. Philemon had never had much use for religion. The Pharisees and Sadducees that he had seen and met were not honorable men at all. They served themselves above others and never seemed to do what the law commanded. In fact, he had often thought that the law they taught was unattainable. How could anybody keep all of those endless laws and rules? As the teacher proceeded, his message began to come into focus. All men are sinners. He agreed. He had never met anyone that was perfect, and he definitely knew that he had sinned countless times against God. The man taught that God was perfect. He agreed. He then proposed a question. So how can an imperfect sinner ever hope to be allowed into the presence of perfect God? Philemon thought on this question. He had never thought about it that way. Is it possible? Is it hopeless? If God wanted to have people in His presence, then He would have to do something, right? Make a way. The teacher continued on and started telling the story of a Jew named Jesus. Born of a virgin, the Son of God, brought here to this planet to live a sinless life. To live a life that could be considered a perfect sacrifice. The teacher went on to say that the man had been crucified in Jerusalem about 65 years ago. Philemon couldn’t keep up with all the people they killed, crucified and executed in the Roman Empire. It was so many, the faces no longer had names but were merely numbers. But this Jesus, he had never heard of him before.
The teacher went on to tell about this Jesus’ burial, and how it was different than any other that had ever taken place. 3 days later they found his tomb to be empty, He was not there. Raised from the dead? How is that possible? But then the proof. He appeared to hundreds. How can you deny that, if that many people saw Him? The teacher now moved on to speak of Jesus’ death as a sacrifice. That He came to once and for all pay the penalty for the sins of all men. That if you called upon Him and asked him to save you, He would. Philemon felt that feeling rise up in His chest. That feeling of wanting more crested and built. What was this feeling? The teacher asked people to believe. He asked them to accept who Jesus was, what he did, and to simply believe. Philemon could not stand it any longer, it felt like his chest was going to explode. He stood, not knowing fully why. He moved towards the front, his legs moved but felt not his own. He approached the teacher, tears starting to well in his eyes and he asked to be saved. He wanted Jesus to save him, he had never wanted anything so much. The teacher took him by the shoulders and lovingly instructed Philemon how to call upon Jesus and be saved. That is the day it all changed. That is the day Philemon believed. He called on the name of Jesus and was saved. That was the day. As he departed, a different man then when he walked in, he asked the teachers name. Paul. Paul was his name.
Philemon made his way back home the next day, his business and purchases complete. He felt different. The world was a new. He could not wait to tell Apphia and Archhippus, he wanted them to know of this good news that he had heard. The homecoming was sweet as he extoled of his journey and his saving experience. He simply repeated the story that he had heard from Paul. He told them about Jesus. He told the good news of Jesus to his family. They believed and they called upon Jesus to save them. They were now not just a family of this planet, but they were part of the family of God.
But the burning within Philemon to tell of the good news would not be quenched. He still desired to tell others of the good news. How could he keep this life saving news to himself? He told his friends, he told his neighbors, he told his business clients. He wanted all the people of Colossae to know the good news. It was amazing. As he told, people believed. As they believed they were changed. As they were changed, they wanted to act. He was seeing changed lives acting differently. People started coming to his home to hear the good news he shared. New believers started coming to his home to ask him questions. Before too long he started having meetings in his home to talk about Jesus. Since he had been blessed with a large home it was a perfect place to gather a large group. Without knowing it, Philemon had started one of the first churches in Colossae.
It was about this time that Philemon received news, another slave had runaway. This was always troubling news to Philemon. He cared for his slaves, he fed them, he gave them a place to stay, he gave them work. What were they looking for that they would leave the provisions that he provided them? He had men search the country side but with no avail. The slave, Onesimus, had probably fled to Rome. With over 120 million people in the city he would likely never be found. Be what he would find was hardship. No food, no shelter, no money, no papers, it would be a hard journey for a runaway slave. Philemon drifted into deep thought. What was true freedom? Onesimus was a slave yet had everything he needed. Now he was free but longed for everything. Philemon thought about his previous life versus the freedom he now enjoyed in Christ. He had everything before. He had much land, a large house, plentiful possessions and yet he was bound in slavery to sin. Then Christ freed him. True freedom. Freedom from the bondage of sin. The sin that without Jesus would condemn him to death. An eternal death. Separation from God for eternity. Philemon wanted that for no one. He knew that he must continue on in his newfound journey to tell others. He drifted back to Onesimus. He had named him that, it meant “profitable”. Where had Onesimus gone?
About this time his son excitedly brought in the weeks deliveries. Within the small bundle was a strange sealed parchment, all the way from Rome. Who in Rome would have need of him? He pulled up a chair and readied himself. He unrolled the stiff parchment and began to read.
Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus, I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,whose father I became in my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservantbut more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philemon sat speechless, the tears streaming down, seemingly endless. The fate this letter told of was indeed only by the hand of God. Onesimus had fled to Rome and somehow met none other than Paul. The teacher that had changed his life with the good news of Jesus. As a result, the good news had saved his family and was saving a large part of the city of Ephesus. God had indeed done a miracle here in this matter. Philemon gazed at the letter again. So Onesimus has heard the good news. He has been changed just like me. He is now truly free. How he must feel to have gone from Earthy slavery to heavenly freedom. Philemon smiled through the tears.
He again returned to the letter. Paul in his love for a brother of Christ, in an effort to reconcile the relationship between him and Onesimus, was offering up himself. He asked Philemon to ‘charge it to his account.’ He was offering to pay the debt for Onesimus. How could that be. Even though Paul had shared the good news with him, he had only met him that one time in Ephesus. Why would Paul offer such a thing? Philemon looked up and peered out the window. The clouds had broken, and the sun peered through. The rays beamed down and pierced the sky. Jesus came to this Earth and paid a price, the ultimate price. A perfect man, the son of God. He came and paid the price of death on a cross. A price that Philemon could not pay, was paid for him. Jesus did this without asking, without asking in return. It was done out of grace and love. He could not imagine a greater love than God sending His son to die for the sins of the world. What love God has.
Philemon rolled up the letter, shaken to the core. Paul, even in his great distance, continued to teach him. Even from the cold darkness of a prison cell, he was loving and helping others. God’s grace and goodness can break any bonds and in its place offer freedom. Onesimus would be returning soon and things would be different. The greeting would be sweet. The greeting would not be between a master and a slave but two free men, two brothers freed in Christ. Two brothers united through Jesus. United together to give out the Word of God and do the work that God has stored up for them. Life would indeed be different. Life would be free. All should be free in Jesus.
