Saturday – May 22nd – Colossians 4:10-11 ------
4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
THERE IS NO MEDICINE LIKE HOPE.*
Welcome to Saturday and the weekend. If we are to believe the weather forecast than this weekend will be bright, sunny, and very warm. We are getting a true glimpse of summertime weather a little early. This weekend is also the second in our BeBold teaching series from the book of Jonah. Look for ways that you can reach deep inside and BeBold in your life for Jesus. What might you do that will point people in a direction that leads to a relationship with Jesus? It can be as simple as a smile (yep, they are back in style), or being a little bolder by paying for someone’s meal, or even a whole lot bolder by being ready to share your faith story when asked. BeBold for Jesus can be many different things, but they all will lead back to God’s unconditional love and amazing grace.
In our pick verses for today we continue to follow Paul’s personal greetings to the Colossian believers. Today we are given three names that bear the need for some identification. Aristarchus was a person Paul meet in Thessalonica who chose to join Paul’s traveling missionary caravan. Today’s reference puts Aristarchus in Rome with Paul as one of his person attendants in prison. Paul also mentions a man named Jesus called Justus in this passage. For reference the name “Jesus” was a very common name in first century Judaism, as it was the modern translation of the Old Testament name Joshua. The fact that the Bible indicates that he was "called" Justus (Latin for "upright" or "just"), rather than being "named" or "surnamed" Justus, may indicate that this was a title bestowed in recognition of a character trait, and/or to distinguish him from Jesus Christ. And finally, Paul includes in this list of his companions in Rome, John Mark the cousin of Barnabas. The significance of our reading that Mark was now a trusted and respected aid to Paul indicates that they had put their past behind them when Mark left Paul early in the first missionary journey. What a great reminder that men and women of God are to first seek the Kingdom of Heaven, and to put the advancement of the Gospel as a priority above our personal frailty within human relationships. John Mark would become invaluable to the early church and Paul needed to set aside his personal perception so that Mark could live into God’s calling in his life. Who today do we need to give a second chance for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven and the sharing of the Gospel?
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Sunday – May 23rd – Colossians 4:12-15
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Location 26879). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
THERE IS NO MEDICINE LIKE HOPE.*
Welcome to Saturday and the weekend. If we are to believe the weather forecast than this weekend will be bright, sunny, and very warm. We are getting a true glimpse of summertime weather a little early. This weekend is also the second in our BeBold teaching series from the book of Jonah. Look for ways that you can reach deep inside and BeBold in your life for Jesus. What might you do that will point people in a direction that leads to a relationship with Jesus? It can be as simple as a smile (yep, they are back in style), or being a little bolder by paying for someone’s meal, or even a whole lot bolder by being ready to share your faith story when asked. BeBold for Jesus can be many different things, but they all will lead back to God’s unconditional love and amazing grace.
In our pick verses for today we continue to follow Paul’s personal greetings to the Colossian believers. Today we are given three names that bear the need for some identification. Aristarchus was a person Paul meet in Thessalonica who chose to join Paul’s traveling missionary caravan. Today’s reference puts Aristarchus in Rome with Paul as one of his person attendants in prison. Paul also mentions a man named Jesus called Justus in this passage. For reference the name “Jesus” was a very common name in first century Judaism, as it was the modern translation of the Old Testament name Joshua. The fact that the Bible indicates that he was "called" Justus (Latin for "upright" or "just"), rather than being "named" or "surnamed" Justus, may indicate that this was a title bestowed in recognition of a character trait, and/or to distinguish him from Jesus Christ. And finally, Paul includes in this list of his companions in Rome, John Mark the cousin of Barnabas. The significance of our reading that Mark was now a trusted and respected aid to Paul indicates that they had put their past behind them when Mark left Paul early in the first missionary journey. What a great reminder that men and women of God are to first seek the Kingdom of Heaven, and to put the advancement of the Gospel as a priority above our personal frailty within human relationships. John Mark would become invaluable to the early church and Paul needed to set aside his personal perception so that Mark could live into God’s calling in his life. Who today do we need to give a second chance for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven and the sharing of the Gospel?
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Sunday – May 23rd – Colossians 4:12-15
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Location 26879). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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