January 5th
Twelfth Day of Christmas
And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”
Colossians 4: 16-17
These few verses remind us of Paul’s purpose in writing letters, his desire to spiritually grow the church. Once the Colossians read their letter, they are to share with the Laodiceans, and vice versa. Some speculate that the letter from Laodicea is a copy of the letter to the Ephesians. Whether this is true or not, here is the point: Paul’s letters are widely shared among the broader Christian community.
Of particular interest is Paul’s comment toward Archippus. Paul wants the Colossian community to encourage Archippus, encourage him to complete the task that he received in the Lord. Can you imagine Paul saying the same to all of us?
See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.
This last day of Christmas greets us with this encouragement toward mission. What task might Jesus be calling you to complete? What task might Jesus be calling our church to complete?
For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Ephesians 2:10
God invites each of us into discipleship, to be Jesus followers. And God has prepared a task for all of us, both individually and corporately.
As we complete this season of Christmas, let us remember that Jesus invites us to abide in Him so that our roots run deep and strong, nourished by the streams of Living Water. Love God. And Jesus invites us to walk with Him, to walk in the tasks already prepared for us. Love others. We become mature disciples as we grow deep roots in our relationship with Jesus and as we reach outward on mission with Jesus.
The first and second commandments taught by Jesus – to love God and love our neighbor – are our calling. They guide the enactment of life as God intends it to be lived. We find our lives by losing them in these particular ways. We lose our lives, and gain them too, in the action of laying them down in worship and love.
Mark Labberton
Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today
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