As a congregation we’ve been working through Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi this summer. It’s been a wonderful experience delving into these rich passages each week. This past Sunday we came to Philippians 2:19-30. In these verses, Paul tells the church that he is going to send two of his most important helpers. While Paul is in prison, they’ve been caring for him and providing all that he needs. Yet, Paul feels the need to send these men back to the church. Epaphroditus likely took the letter with him when he returned to Philippi. It seems that Timothy would have gone later.
As I have considered this section of the letter, it occurs to me how important Timothy and Epaphroditus are in communicating the truths that Paul wants for the church in Philippi. He’s been writing to them already about humility, putting others first, living selflessly, and modeling Jesus’ example. It’s one thing to put words on a page. It’s another thing to send a real-life example. And that’s what Paul seems to be doing.
This is what God does for us. In the Gospel of John, we learn that Jesus is God made flesh.
(John 1:14 NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…
And in John 5, Jesus describes how his presence, his works are testimony for us.
(John 5:36 NIV) I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
Jesus’ testimony provides all that we need to know him and understand his saving work in our lives. John later describes his experience.
(1 John 1:1 NIV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
Words can only go so far. Email or text messages are inadequate. Even video calls don’t provide the human touch that we all need. I’m grateful that God came to us in the flesh. He chose to be with us. And this is what Paul is doing for the church at Philippi by sending Timothy and Epaphroditus.
What about us? Is there a way we could be more intentional about being face to face with people? Could we carve out more time for conversation in a coffee shop or dinner in someone’s home? God still works and moves through real people face to face. In our increasingly digital world, let’s not forget this.
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