Colossians 4:7-18 (NRSV) Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. 11 And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13 For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 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. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Last month’s lesson was quite brief. Now as we come to the conclusion of Paul’s short letter to the Colossians we find him sharing greetings with other fellow servants in the kingdom. His aim for having written the letter is to encourage those in Colossae to grow to become mature Christians.
What does it mean to be mature? With fruit and vegetables, mature means that they are ready to pick and eat. But with people, it means they are ready to function in responsible roles. In every Christian congregation we need to rely on those who are mature in the faith to help guide and lead a congregation as it carries out the ministry of the Lord. The opposite is to be carried about by every wind and wave of doctrine. This might be in the sense of thinking that the story of salvation is too complicated and we are just to love people. It might mean that we are so driven to understand every last element of the faith that we are constantly picking the Christian story apart. Somewhere in the middle there is a place for being led by the Spirit to love others as we have been loved and to celebrate that Christ Jesus died and rose to give us life everlasting.
Paul encourages the leaders particularly to provide the instruction necessary for the Spirit to help the members grow. We do not become bigger or better Christians, but our maturity comes when we are more quickly aware of what might lead us astray (usually flashy and appealing) or what might lead us to be faithful in loving as we’ve been loved (usually the hard work of carrying others on our heart for the Lord). Paul writes while being imprisoned and encourages others to do what he can no longer do. Eternal life is at stake and the Lord seeks for us to grow in our maturity that we might give witness to the eternal joy that gives us peace and hope in this world. Let us enjoy the journey together.
Pastor Tom Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XVII, Number 4, November 2015)