January 4th
Eleventh Day of Christmas
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
Colossians 4: 14-15
Just like each of us have a story, each name Paul mentions represents a story. This passage mentions three names: Luke, Nympha, and Demas. As the beloved physician and storyteller, Luke must have lived a full life of adventure and mission. As a woman missionary specifically named by Paul, Nympha’s life must have been counter-cultural and inspiring. Wouldn’t you love to know more about their lives?
On the other hand, Demas’ story offers a sad, cautionary tale. Do you remember Paul encouraging the Colossians to grow in maturity, an antidote to the world’s philosophy and empty deceit? Paul struggled on behalf of the Colossians so they might grow in faith, so they might not be taken captive by the world….
Scripture mentions Demas three times, in Colossians, Philemon, and 2 Timothy. The third time Paul speaks of Demas chills the heart.
Do your best to come to me soon, for Demas, in love with this present world,
has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.
2 Timothy 4: 9-10
Can you feel Paul’s pain? Once a faithful missionary with Paul and Timothy, Demas deserted both his faith and friends. Demas was in love with this present world. For Paul, this abandonment cuts to the core. For the church community, this abandonment cut to the core.
And this sometimes happens today. Jesus followers can feel wounded and disillusioned when church leaders fall away from the faith. The unbelieving world can also feel wounded and disillusioned… one more Christian hypocrite in their eyes. We wonder how this could happen… and there are no easy answers. We wonder how to respond to such a betrayal… and only one answer comes to mind, a difficult answer that requires bent knees and the power of the Holy Spirit...
Love God…. Trust in His sovereignty.
Love people…. Forgive and offer grace.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love.
Colossians 3:12-14
As we approach the end of the Christmas season, let us encourage one another to persevere in love. Sometimes life does not make sense. Sometimes betrayal, pain, and loss cut us to the core. Yet, we can still trust in the Creator of the universe, the Creator who became a baby… for us. And as we cling to the sovereignty of the One who suffered for us, as we receive grace… we can offer others grace in His love.
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