I recently revisited the New Testament book of Philemon. It is a brief letter from Paul about a slave named Onesimus to his owner, Philemon. When I first read it in 1967, I didn’t understand why it was in scripture, but the Holy Spirit showed me the significance of that short letter about redemption, mercy and grace. I even preached a sermon based on it that same year.
Imagine that in the middle of the night the figure of a man was quietly moving through the dark home and putting valuables in a bag. Then he slipped quietly out the door. The home belonged to Philemon and his wife, Apphia. The thief was Onesimus, their household slave who was escaping. Onesimus thought if he could make it to Rome and blend into the crowds, he would be home free, but he couldn’t outrun God, who had other plans for him. Once in Rome, he ran smack into the Apostle Paul, who recognized him from his frequent visits to the church that met in Philemon’s home. He immediately began to confess to Paul what he had done and Paul led him to faith in Jesus Christ. He then attended to Paul’s needs and served the church in Rome. He and Paul both knew that he would eventually have to return and make things right with Philemon. Paul wrote the letter to take with him to give Philemon.
Imagine now, Philemon seeing the figure of a man approaching his home and recognizing him. Anger and hurt welled up in Philemon as Onesimus dropped to his knees in front of him and reached out with the letter from Paul.He took the letter from him and immediately recognized Paul’s handwriting. He called Apphia to come quick, there is a letter from Paul. She came running out but stopped short when she saw Onesimus. Philemon read the letter to Apphia, then after a brief pause, he reached out his hand to Onesimus, helped him to his feet and embraced him.
These background accounts are not described in scripture and I certainly did not witness them, but Onesimus is still regarded as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church today, so it is obvious that he was accepted by Philemon and became an influential part of the churches in that region. I encourage you to read that short letter with all of this information in mind. You will find, as I have, a similarity with our rebellion, confrontation and redemption. We won’t have to carry a letter to hand over at judgement, because our name is found in the Lamb’s Book of Life written in Jesus’ handwriting and with His blood and God’s Holy Spirit will affirm we are God’s son or daughter. By the grace of God, we have been converted from sinners to saints in the eyes of God.