Homecoming
PHILIPPIANS 2:19 - 3:4
(October 1)
When I read today's passage, I had this vision of a serviceman coming home after a tour of duty. His family has missed him so much and are so excited to have him safely back home. They are proud of the service he has given to his country, but relieved that he is back with them.
There are lots of videos on social media about soldiers returning home. Their spouses and their children run to them with arms open wide, crying and laughing with joy at the same time. I can never watch one of those without bursting into tears. I get so emotional at their joy expressed so openly and honestly.
Paul is sending back a "soldier" to the Philippians. Epaphroditus is a man who has traveled far to deliver money to Paul on behalf of the Philippians. He is most likely an elder in Philippi. While with Paul, he became very ill, and almost died. After his recovery, Paul sends him home to his people, who must have been much like the families in the videos I see ... very happy and filled with joy upon his return.
Paul also tells them he has another "soldier" coming to them soon. He will be sending Timothy, who has been an amazing soldier of the Gospel. He is sending Timothy to visit them so he can return and give Paul a good report, which will cheer him up while he is imprisoned. He plans to send Timothy as soon as he finds out exactly what will happen in his imprisonment. At this point, he is unsure if he faces death or release.
Despite the outcome of his situation, he wants the Philippians to continue to rejoice in the Lord and to be on guard for the "dogs", the "evil workers" and the "mutilators." He is most likely referring to the Jewish Christians who wrongly believed that the Gentiles had to follow all the Old Testament Jewish laws in order to find salvation, including the rite of circumcision. These believers were motivated by spiritual pride. They had spent quite a lot of time and effort in keeping the laws for themselves, so they couldn't accept the fact that none of that would offer them salvation.
To Paul's way of thinking, they looked at Christianity backwards. They though that what they DID made them believers instead of the free gift of God's grace. When in fact, what believers DO is a result of their faith, not a requirement of it.
They were so confused! But so are many people today. They work and work to EARN their way into heaven, not understanding that the ticket is free because of grace, and that all they really need to do is believe and have faith, and that will bring them a beautiful Homecoming.