Onesiphorus

by Caldwell, H. | Category: General | Jan 1957

The Lord grant mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus: for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me (the Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day): and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou knowest very well " (2 Timothy 1. 16-18). The name of Onesiphorus is kept ever fragrant by the blessed Holy Spirit in return for the wonderful love and loyalty shown by him to Paul, the beloved servant of Christ. Where was Onesiphorus in those memorable scenes enacted in the pagan city of Ephesus, the burning of those many books of magical arts in the open street, the tumultuous riot in the amphitheatre, the monotonous chanting of Diana's worshippers?

We might ask ourselves the question, Is it the lack of opposition from the world, and the fact that our lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places, that tend to breed in us the feeling of apathy so commonly seen today in relation to God's claims? We gather from Acts 28.16 that, instead of being taken along with the other prisoners from the ship to be delivered up to the captain of the Roman guard, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him. The circumstances of his publicly wearing this chain, coupled to a Roman soldier, would have a dishonourable appearance, so much so that former friends of the lukewarm variety would be conspicuous by their absence. What a joy it was to the beloved apostle as, time and again, his faithful friend showed a spirit of distinguished fidelity, despising the shame of being seen in the company of an alleged evil doer! Oh the warmth and purpose of heart in Onesiphorus! "He sought me diligently and found me." What a lovely Christ-like spirit! In Acts 20.35 Paul said to the elders of Ephesus, "How that so labouring ye ought to help the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Hence the apostle fervently intercedes with God to grant mercy and blessing to Onesiphorus and his family and to remember him in that future day of recompense.

As we dwell upon this touching scene, the vision of Calvary comes afresh to view and the scripture comes to mind, "Be not Thou far from Me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help " (Psalm 22.11). There, hanging upon a tree, we see afresh that blessed One who sought us diligently and found us, while we were enslaved in Satan's cruel, captive chain. Sometimes we sing of Him that

"To seek the lost,

And, at the cost

Of heavenly rank, and

earthly fame, He sought me,

Blessed be His name

He was not ashamed of the fact that He loved us. He was numbered with the transgressors, although no fault was found in Him. Whole multitudes had felt His wonderful healing touch, and yet, in those dread hours of darkness, He the Sin-bearer was forsaken by all, forsaken even by God, that we might be eternally refreshed in the knowledge of sins forgiven.

We are reminded in the words of Paul concerning our position in this scene as he writes, "Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us therefore go forth unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come " (Hebrews 13.12-14). Christ is looking down today, not from Calvary, but from heaven itself, to take notice, in this the day of His rejection, of those who are prepared to stand by His cross. He will be no man's debtor, the day of recompense is coming, the day is fast approaching when the once rejected Man of Sorrows will rule the earth in righteousness. His name will be upon every tongue, nations shall flow in worship to His throne in Zion (Micah 4.1-6). "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea" (Psalm 72.8). "His enemies shall lick the dust ... and all nations shall serve Him" (Psalm 72.9-11), and, as it was with David in the day of his rejection, that upon his coming to the throne, those who had shared with him the outside place were found to be filling the responsible places in the kingdom, so it will be in far greater measure, when the King of kings wields the golden sceptre. Then will be fulfilled the words, " Well done, thou good servant, because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities " (Luke 19.17). Beloved young disciple, would you like a place in that glorious millennium? Then be it yours to remember the words spoken by the Lord Jesus Himself, "Every one therefore who shall confess Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10. 32, 33). May it be true of each of us that "Then will lie own my worthless name,

"Before the Father's face;

And, in the New Jerusalem,

Appoint me to my place."

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward " (Romans 8.18).

Caldwell, H. | Jan 1957
General