Among Paul’s longer letters to Timothy and to the churches in Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi and Rome, which are very useful to us; we find a very short letter to a single Christian convert. On the surface, it seems to be a personal note to Philemon reintroducing him to someone named Onesimus. What makes this short note so important that it is included in the New Testament? I have found this letter to be one of the most profound books of the Bible and I want to share with you why I feel that way.
Imagine with me if you will the figure of a man silently moving through a home in the middle of the night collecting valuable items and then sneaking out the door with them. That man was Onesimus (which means “useful” in Greek). He was a household slave belonging to Philemon, whose home he just robbed and escaped from on the run. He traveled all the way to Rome where he could blend in with the crowds and surely be impossible to track down. Then, as God would have it, he ran smack into Paul, who recognized him from being a guest in Philemon’s home. He confessed and Paul led him to faith in Jesus Christ. Onesimus became one of Paul’s most useful helpers; but they both knew he must eventually return to face Philemon and make things right. Paul wrote a brief note in his own handwriting for Onesimus to deliver to Philemon to vouch for his conversion and “usefulness” as a brother in Christ Jesus. Now imagine Onesimus dropping to his knees in front of Philemon and handing Paul’s note to him with a trembling hand.
That story is an analogy of the rebellion, repentance, mercy and grace that leads every Christian to a right relationship with God. We flee from God, seeking to hide in the crowd, but run smack into Jesus. He recognizes us as a fugitive and offers us amnesty from our sins through His mercy and grace. He writes a note to His Father on our heart in His own handwriting using His shed blood vouching for us as now a useful son or daughter. Now you know why I cannot read that short book of the Bible without shedding tears of gratefulness and joy that Jesus made it possible for me to make things right with His Father. The only difference; Paul offered to pay Onesimus’ debt – Jesus actually paid yours and mine.
How would you like to go through life named Useful? Would it be appropriate, or would it be a contradiction? I pray that you and I make ourselves useful in service to God and thus useful in service to others around us.