JC Blog

I always get excited when I read about women in the Bible or see a women mentioned in the scriptures such as Phoebe. Not much detail is given about her nor is she mentioned anywhere else except in this final chapter in Romans. But she will always be remembered as the person who delivered Paul's epistle to the believers at Rome.

What an amazing task this must have been. Travel was not easy nor safe, but she was given this great letter and sent to deliver it. With it came a personal recommendation from Paul, this tells us a lot about this lady. Paul told them that she was a servant of the church in Cenchrea and many assume that she might have been a deaconess or minister there. The word for servant, translated from the Greek means attendant and is used elsewhere to denote a Christian teacher, pastor, deacon or deaconess. However the word was also used in the case of a servant or someone who did errands as a slave. Whether or not Phoebe was a deaconess or servant one truth remains, she was a great help to the many people.

Paul instructed this church to help her out in whatever means necessary as she also helped others. This is an important truth that illustrators the principal of reaping what you sow. Just knowing that she helped and ministered to others in their time of need would empower the Romans to assist her while in Rome and on her journey. This is why Paul mentioned it. He instructed them that she had been a great help to others and even himself, so in the same way they should assist her when possible. Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" ( Luke 6:38 ). This is one of the key principal how the Kingdom of God works, we will reap what we sow. So in helping others, others will be more likely to help us. Paul is advocating that Phoebe has earned their help and respect by the help she had given him.

The same holds true for us today, we are more likely to assist those who willingly help us and vica versa. Like Phoebe were are servants of Jesus and ministers to His church. We are tasks with helping and caring for our brothers and sisters when there is a need. Today, I pray that you become aware of those needs and step in and help when possible. Just like Phoebe, you will be remembered for your servants heart and for caring and ministering to the saints of God. May this truth bless you today as you walk in it!

As believers we are to follow Christ's example of being willing to meet people where they are. Fully God, yet he humbled himself and stepped into humanity on our behalf. He gave up the glory of heaven to come and redeem mankind, born in the most humble way. He did not consider his royal position ahead of our need for him; he humbled himself and became obedient to death in order that we might experience firsthand the love of God.

In the same way, we are to have the mindset of Christ concerning those around us. We are to consider them above ourselves. Paul has given us plenty of instruction in Romans 12 on how to live in harmony with one another. In today's passage he reminds us that we should rejoice with those who rejoice and morn with those who mourn. This can only happen when we genuinely love and care for each other.  By showing interest and concern for others above our own need, we become invested in their lives. Doing so brings us to the point of being able to share with them in every circumstance. Rejoicing and mourning with them is a natural response to the love shared, this is why Paul started out by saying "love must be sincere" ( Romans 12:9 ).

To live in harmony with each other we have to be willing to associate with everyone. As believers, we should not be conceited or overestimate ourselves. We should not be exclusive or snobbish toward one another and we should always be willing to include and care for those around us. Jesus told the disciples "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all" ( Mark 9:35 ). This is the secret to getting ahead in life, putting others ahead of yourself and serving each other just as if you were serving the Lord. Jesus then took a child in his arms and went on to explain to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." ( Mark 9:37 ). Keeping this eternal perspective in mind will enable us to live in harmony with each other, rejoicing, mourning and caring for each other's needs just as if the Lord standing before us.

Today it is my prayer that you understand this wonderful truth and apply it to your life. May God bless you as you seek him and may he bring people into your path to be a blessing to, amen.