“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the [Gentile] churches give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” Romans 16:3-16
Beloved, beloved, beloved. The fullness of Paul’s heart permeates his greetings to many fellow servants of God he loved from afar. He has built relationships, enjoyed mutual caring and fellowship, noted their sacrifices, witnessed their effectiveness, learned and cared for their families. The scope of his gratitude for their hard work, kinship, shared faith, and familial love is expressed with lavish affection. His deep experience of ties that bind God’s people in ministry moves him to embrace them individually by name and impart love as though he were looking them in the eye.
Who would be on our greeting list? When do we make the effort to listen, get to know, and care for those in the Body? Alongside whom do we regularly serve? For whom do we sacrifice time, resources, and convenience to share meaningful experiences? Do we excuse ‘not being good with names’, or make concerted effort to learn them and so convey value to their owners?
As a fruit of the Spirit, love is deepened when we practice preferring others before ourselves and regularly pray for them. How well do we love God’s people? In what practical ways do we demonstrate and communicate that love? (Romans 12:9-15; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Philippians 2:2-4; Galatians 5:22)
When do we find it most difficult to love? Replacing resentment, shame, selfishness, or jealousy with meditating on Christ’s love brings gratitude and fresh desire to love as He does. Where do we need our love to grow in quality, capacity, and reach? As we love His children, God’s love is magnified to the world. (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:19)
“Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear. ” ~John Fawcett (1782)
Lord, fill me to overflow with Your love for Your people, to their upbuilding and Your glory.
