[7] Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. [8] I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. [9] He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
People of my vintage would remember Romper Room. It was a kids show. Miss Pat or whoever was hosting at the time would get the “magic mirror” and reads off a list of names of kids that she could “see” through the television. I know people who remember watching the show as a kid, sitting intently hoping that their name would get a mention. It was a real thrill to have your name called out. It was OK if your name was John or Mary. If you were called Tychicus you probably missed out.
But he DOES get a mention in Colossians. Someone had counted the number of people mentioned by name listed in the book of Acts and Paul’s letters. The count was nearing a hundred. In Romans 16 there are 26 names alone. Gordon Moyes says that Paul had a great bunch of mates who built churches.
In his final greetings to Colossae Paul mentions a few more mates who were significant to his ministry. They were more than just a bunch of mates. They worked together and suffered together in the foundational period of church life. Some we know very little about. However they were significant enough in Paul’s life for him to give them a mention so that the church at Colossae would know of their relationship.
Tychicus had a job to do. Many scholars believe that it was he who delivered the letter by hand as well as the news of how Paul was doing. (verse 9) He was Paul’s email, mobile phone, SMS and Australia Post. He knew what he had to do and he did it. We wouldn’t be reading this today if he had slacked off and taken a detour along the way. Paul wouldn’t have given him the responsibility if he hadn’t showed himself to be faithful in other responsibilities along the way.
Onesimus travelled with him. He was a different case altogether. Onesimus was a runaway slave. In a wonderful “God-incidence” when he ran away from his Master, he ran into Paul. Paul knew his Master Philemon. Through Paul’s influence, Onesimus became a Christian. As a play on words Onesimus who apparently was a bit lazy (his name means useful but was called useless) now became useful again to Paul.
Paul didn’t define Onesimus by his past. He is not called the runaway slave. He is not called the useless, no good lazy servant. He was one of them now. He was spiritual family. He was the faithful brother. In addressing Onesimus this way Paul is trying to help him get re-connected in the church when he gets back.
God uses all sorts of people in his family. We’re going to learn some lessons from the rest of the people on the list this week.
Reflect on your faithfulness to do the job you are asked to do.
Reflect on whether you define people by their past or are able to see them as making a fresh start in Christ.
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