Philippians 1:1-11 (NRSV) Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
This year’s observations will reflect on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians – the Happy Epistle. There are challenges in every ministry. But the joys outweigh the burdens. Paul has been visited by Epaphroditus, a Philippian who brought gifts for Paul, got sick, healed, and was returning. Paul writes from prison, not a very high calling for this famous apostle, maybe in Rome, Caesarea or Ephesus. His joy is elevated by knowing that his Gospel work is bearing fruit. Remember, this is where Paul was imprisoned and beaten and where the jailor comes to faith, along with his household. Did the ministry continue? YES!
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” What majestic words! “Grace” is undeserved love. “Peace” with God is eternal in scope. God is not just the almighty but the “father.” “Lord” is the way the Jews referred to God in Greek. “Jesus” is the one who came into flesh, to be one of us. The “Christ” comes to be messiah, restoring God’s kingdom. Talk about Christmas presents! They are all around the tree, ready to be unwrapped. Not “What do you want?” but “Look what you have!”
People can be lonely in a crowd. Much of the social media is about poking in on what someone else is doing, keeping up with their lives. Here Paul reminds the Philippians of what they all share in common. Sharing eternal life already now provides the greatest celebration, as we give glory and praise to God through our Lord, the majestic one! Celebrate the Christmas blessings! We are under construction by God for eternal life.
Pastor Tom Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord!
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XV, Number 5, December 2013)