Those We Overlook
Pictured: Here is the Great Theatre of Ephesus where Aristarchus held back the mob to save apostle Paul. (Mary is visible in the lower right corner in pink); All Nations International Leaders Dr. Juergen Kramer and Matt Chen are also in ths photo
The people we overlook are often the truest heroes of faith. As a leader, I’m guilty of not seeing people in real life. As a student of God’s Word, when I read the epistles, I’m guilty of overlooking the tiresome lists at the end when Paul often goes, “By the way, So-and-So greets you. And please greet So-and-So for us. And all the So-and-So who are with me greet all the So-and-So who are with you.” I’ve lumped them all together as a big blob. I’ve glossed over these names for 40 years. But the greatest heroes are the unsung heroes—in both life and in missions.
Paul’s third missionary journey, which began in Ephesus, was the highlight of his mission career. In two short years, “All the residents in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:10). Historians estimate that it was possibly 15 million people who heard the Gospel! But Paul, instead of enjoying his wild success as a missionary, he chose to go to Jerusalem and Rome to suffer shame and imprisonment. (Acts 19:21; 20:22-25)
From prison, he wrote the magnificent letter to the Colossians and again concluded with his usual litany of many So-and-Sos greeting other So-and-Sos. I’ve overlooked these names for the past 40 years, until the Holy Spirit convicted me recently. In those days, it was shameful and dangerous to be associated with an imprisoned criminal like Paul. Yet among Paul’s band of brothers were:
Aristarchus, who was captured holding back a rioting mob to save Paul from being killed in the Great Theater in Ephesus. (Acts 19:29-31). Later, he accompanied Paul the prisoner to Rome by possibly enrolling himself as a slave to make this journey with him. Now he is in Rome as Paul’s “fellow prisoner.” (Col. 4:10)
Mark, who deserted Paul when missions got hard. (Acts 15:38-39) Paul insisted on not bringing Mark on the next mission trip. Yet, in the last year of Paul’s life in prison just before he was martyred, Paul requested, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:11) Paul must have given Mark a second chance. Mark went on to become the Gospel writer and a cross-cultural missionary later martyred in Egypt.
Luke, the beloved physician who gave up a lucrative career to attend to Paul. At the end of Paul’s life in prison right before death, he said, “Luke alone is with me.” (Col. 4:10, 2 Tim. 4:11)
Onesimus, the runaway slave and thief punishable by death. Yet Paul calls him his son, his very heart, and appeals for a second chance for him. (Philemon 10-12) Fifty years later, according to church tradition, Onesimus became the bishop of Ephesus. Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch, on his way to face martyrdom in Rome was met by the Bishop of Ephesus and wrote to the Ephesians, “I received . . . in the person of Onesimus, your bishop in this world, a man whose love is beyond words. My prayer is that you should love him in the spirit of Jesus Christ and all be like him.”
Demas, who deserted Paul because he was in love with the present world. (Col. 4:10, 2 Tim. 4:10)
Nympha, the widow who hosted and led the church that met in her home. (Col. 4:15)
Archippus, a key leader who got discouraged and quit ministry. So Paul exhorted, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” (Col. 4:17)
These are the unsung heroes of Paul’s third missionary journey. Without them, he could not have survived and ministered in his two-year imprisonment in Rome.
Who is the Mark and Onesimus in your life you need to give a second chance?
Who is the Luke and Aristachus in your life who would journey with you to the end?
Who is the Demas you need to forgive?
Who is the Nympha who provides a safe community for your heart?
Who is the Archippus who gave up on ministry because it is too hard?
And what role do you play? Are each of us a Luke and Aristachus who would journey with people to the very end? Are we a Nympha? Are we a Mark and Onesimus who is thriving because we received an undeserved second chance? Have we been a Demas?
Even those who failed Paul, or gave up, were still important "heroes" or "companions" that allowed Paul to do what he did. Above all, have we been a Paul who -- despite his sufferings -- constantly acknowledges and honors the band of brothers who makes his mission impossible possible. Most of us are not a Paul. But we can be a Luke, a Aristachus, a Mark, an Onesimus or a Nympha—all key roles in the Great Commission.
I just returned from speaking at a mission conference where a seasoned senior pastor stood up and said, “I’m Archippus. I gave up as a young pastor and quit because it was too hard. But a mentor couple drove across the states to exhort my wife and I. I’ve been serving Jesus ever since.”
Blessings,
Mary Ho
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