Devotion for Thursday, September 15 (A Week with Philemon)

I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, 

whose father I have become during my imprisonment (vs. 10)

This is the reason for the letter to Philemon, a very difficult and potentially divisive request; receive back your runaway slave into the community, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.

Philemon hosts the burgeoning Christian community in his home. This request from Paul seeks to offer a visible example of the reconciliation and partnership.

In a real way, Paul is acting as an advocate for Onesimus. This was legally appropriate in Roman times. Slaves could leave their masters to seek an advocate to help bring reconciliation. Initially, it seems Paul was reluctant because first, he knows Philemon to be a good faithful man, and second because he did not know Onesimus. 

It is clear that Onesimus did something wrong to Philemon.  Perhaps he stole money, or perhaps he wronged Philemon by ineffectively doing his job. Many slaves in Roman times did menial labor, etc. Others were more like household mangers. We don't know what exactly Onesimus' role was in the household of Philemon, but we do know that whatever he did, he most probably fled out of legitimate fear of what Philemon could legally do to him.

The letter to Philemon serves as an advocacy letter on behalf of Onesimus.  The letter encourages (if not demands) that Philemon, in Christian love and partnership, receive Onesimus back, not merely as one who has wronged him, but as a brother in Christ.

We can identify with all three main characters in this letter. Like Paul, we have at times needed to invite others we care about to find forgiveness in Christ for another. Like Philemon, we have had to work toward reconciliation with another who has wronged us. Like Onesimus, we have had moments where we wronged another, caused them great pain, and were uncertain about what the future may hold with them.

No matter which character you may identify with at this moment in your lives (if not several of them), there is an unmistakable call to respond faithfully. And to do so it will not be easy. And this is the reality of reconciliation.  It is never easy.  It is hard work. It makes us vulnerable. Yet it is the only way reconciliation occurs.

We need only consider the cross to see that this is true.

Lord Jesus, the way of reconciliation is not for the faith of heart. Empower our hearts to seek and be receptive to reconciliation in our lives. Amen.