Paul wrote the
letter to The Romans, which is full of deep Theological treatises and concepts.
In last chapter of Romans Paul focused on people. In Romans 16 it is written: 1
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that
you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in
whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself
as well. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who
risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but to all the
churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their
house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my
kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they
were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet
Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles,
who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of
Aristobulus.......
The first
characteristic of Paul’s heart as described in this chapter is that it
overflowed with personal love. If the long list of names and greetings in these
verses teaches us anything, it is that Paul had a genuine love for people. In
this chapter, the word “greet” appears twenty-two times, and eighteen of them
are by Paul. Our text features thirty-three names. Paul was a “people person”
par excellence.
The parade of names in this closing chapter of Romans repeatedly affirms Paul’s affection for his Christian brothers and sisters in Rome. Warmhearted Paul’s loving example challenges us. If our hearts beat with something of the pulse of the apostle Paul, we will be “people persons” who are affectionate to each other.
Some time ago, an eighty-seven-year-old widow in Grand Rapids appealed to the state to place her in a nursing home. “I don’t blame people for not taking the time to see me. I’m not very interesting,” she said. “Everybody I knew is dead or moved away. I’d like to talk to somebody who’s alive. I’d like some company.” The newspaper article reporting on her situation went on to note that except for a shopping trip once or twice a month this widow rarely left her apartment. Her typical day began at 6:30 a.m. with a breakfast of toast and coffee. Then she would water her “garden in the kitchen,” which consisted of five small potted plants. After tidying up the place, she would spend the rest of the day looking out the window. Her day ended at 8:30 p.m. After a light supper she went to bed.
Perhaps we may regard this story as sad, but listen to what eminently astute observer Charles Reich writes in his book "The Greening of America": "America is one vast terrifying anti-community. The great organizations to which most people give their working day, and the apartments and suburbs to which they return at night, are equally places of loneliness and alienation. . . . Protocol, competition, hostility and fear have replaced the warmth of the circle of affection which might sustain man against a hostile universe."
The names of people around us must be important to us. We should remember them because we care. The richest people in town are always those who love the most. They are the “people persons”—the affectionate—those who remember names and pray for them receive the most.
`Though Paul was the supreme intellect of the Early Church, and though Paul had a heart that burned for the glory of God, as few have in the history of the world, he would not have been used as he was if he had not had a heart for people. The truly revolutionary heart is not just a visionary heart with great dreams, but a heart which loves people, a heart which remembers names, a heart with a good word for its brothers and sisters.
The parade of names in this closing chapter of Romans repeatedly affirms Paul’s affection for his Christian brothers and sisters in Rome. Warmhearted Paul’s loving example challenges us. If our hearts beat with something of the pulse of the apostle Paul, we will be “people persons” who are affectionate to each other.
Some time ago, an eighty-seven-year-old widow in Grand Rapids appealed to the state to place her in a nursing home. “I don’t blame people for not taking the time to see me. I’m not very interesting,” she said. “Everybody I knew is dead or moved away. I’d like to talk to somebody who’s alive. I’d like some company.” The newspaper article reporting on her situation went on to note that except for a shopping trip once or twice a month this widow rarely left her apartment. Her typical day began at 6:30 a.m. with a breakfast of toast and coffee. Then she would water her “garden in the kitchen,” which consisted of five small potted plants. After tidying up the place, she would spend the rest of the day looking out the window. Her day ended at 8:30 p.m. After a light supper she went to bed.
Perhaps we may regard this story as sad, but listen to what eminently astute observer Charles Reich writes in his book "The Greening of America": "America is one vast terrifying anti-community. The great organizations to which most people give their working day, and the apartments and suburbs to which they return at night, are equally places of loneliness and alienation. . . . Protocol, competition, hostility and fear have replaced the warmth of the circle of affection which might sustain man against a hostile universe."
The names of people around us must be important to us. We should remember them because we care. The richest people in town are always those who love the most. They are the “people persons”—the affectionate—those who remember names and pray for them receive the most.
`Though Paul was the supreme intellect of the Early Church, and though Paul had a heart that burned for the glory of God, as few have in the history of the world, he would not have been used as he was if he had not had a heart for people. The truly revolutionary heart is not just a visionary heart with great dreams, but a heart which loves people, a heart which remembers names, a heart with a good word for its brothers and sisters.
May we have such a
heart so that future generations may sing:
"For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
"For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
In
Christ,
Brown
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