Rediscovering Archippus

At Maranatha Christian Academy, the 80-or-so student population (K-12) followed a self-paced curriculum incorporating an eclectic mix of English-language classics and missionary biographies.   As a student, I found myself captivated by a book called Twice Freed, written by Patricia St. John, a missionary to Morocco and author of many well-regarded books for children.

Twice Freed is a fictionalization of Paul’s letter to Philemon.  In it, the author weaves a dramatic story around Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, his encounter with Paul, and his return to Colossae as a brother in Christ.  As a child, I was fascinated with this epic tale and filled with a deeper appreciation for the Bible and salvation.  I vividly recall sitting at my desk poring over Twice Freed and a pocket edition of the New King James Version.

Ever since, I have had a great fondness for the book of Philemon with its particular, personal nature, and its story of Onesimus–a striking, real-life, visual portrayal of the believers’ equal status in the new man.

Recently, I was reminded of this story while reading through the book of Colossians, a letter to the assembly meeting in Philemon’s house.  In my reading, I lingered over an obscure reference to Archippus, thought to be Philemon’s son (Philemon 1-3) and a figure in the Onesimus story.

At the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he inserts a word of public exhortation to “our fellow soldier,” the young Archippus, writing:

And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.” — Colossians 4:17

While searching the internet, I found some teachers offering this verse as evidence of Archippus’ clerical position, suggesting that Paul intended to bestow his approval on an impressive preaching capacity.

But is this really the purpose of Paul’s public charge?

After much consideration, I reached a very different conclusion on Paul’s exhortation and Archippus‘ significance.  Rather than a myopic “shout-out” to an up-and-coming preacher, this verse is a charge and encouragement to all believers.

Come back next week as I apply Archippus‘ situation to brothers and sisters like you and me . . . .

Surprising Light!

“Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings.”

So begins Hymns, #706, by English poet William Cowper, a brother who conveyed much of his rich spiritual experience in pieces of poetry.

Portrait of William Cowper, Lemuel Francis Abbott, 1792

“Surprising light” is an allusion to that phrase, and testimony to a turbid, winding, ever-changing Christian experience.

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings.

So much about God, the universe, life, the Bible, and the Christian experience is characterized by music, songs and singing.  In fact, God created a singing universe.  In Job 38, Jehovah converses with the righteous man:

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Tell Me, if you have understanding.  Who set its measurements–if you know?  Or who stretched the measuring line over it?  Onto what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

— Job 38:4-7

Quite often, at my most anxious or frustrated, the Lord has an opening through hymns and songs to supply Himself as encouragement and enjoyment into my situation.  And “sometimes,” unexpectedly — surprising light!

The verses of this hymn describe the believer’s experience trusting in the Lord’s provision, and end with the words:

Though vine nor fig tree neither
  Their wonted fruit shall bear;
Though all the fields should wither
  Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding,
  His praise shall tune my voice,
For, while in Him confiding,
  I cannot but rejoice.

While life rarely proceeds according to plan or expectation, our trust and appreciation for the Lord are not based upon His outward blessing.  Through the disappointments, joys, and developments of life, He is simply–always–“God the same abiding.”  And He is filling our “every need according to His riches in glory, in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).  As we experience more and more of these riches, our singing becomes an expression of His praise (“His praise shall tune my voice.”).

And, until then, we sing.  And, as we sing, something softens; something warms.  A light surprises . . .  

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings.

Surprising light!