It’s a Wonderful Life
Opening Prayer
Think and pray about your tapestry of relationships.
Read Colossians 4:7–18
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” (Prov. 25:25, NRSV).It is my favorite film. It’s a Wonderful Life is about a man named George Bailey who believes his life has come to an end. Financial and relational problems have crowded in on him, and the film begins with him thinking about taking his life. Through the agency of an angel called Clarence, he is shown that his life has had great meaning, even though George feels he has achieved very little. Clarence helps George see that his life has touched his community for the better and without him they would be greatly impoverished.
Paul ends his letter by mentioning his network of friends. It’s easy to caricature Paul as an idealistic loner, but this is a man with a rich tapestry of friendships. The last chapter of Romans, for example, is largely dedicated to his many male and female friends. In particular, here he mentions Tychicus, who crops up in a few other places in the New Testament (Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12). We know next to nothing about Tychicus except that Paul refers to him in glowing terms as a beloved brother, faithful minister and a fellow servant in the Lord (7). No churches or letters are attributed to him and yet his service and friendship are invaluable to Paul.
Apply
Are you the kind of friend that someone could share about in glowing terms? How can you be a good friend today?
Closing prayer
Who are the unsung heroes of your life? Give thanks and pray for them now.
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