In Philippians 2:2626For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. (Philippians 2:26) we read, “He [Epaphroditus] longed after you all,” and this gives us the atmosphere of the epistle to the Philippians. They had heard Epaphroditus had been sick, and this drew out their affections — the affections of the divine nature.
You see how God used these circumstances: “Indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him” (vs. 27). Why did not the Apostle rejoice? Someone might have said, “What is the matter with you, Paul? In the previous part of the epistle you said, ‘To depart, and be with Christ, which is far better,’ and now you are talking about ‘sorrow upon sorrow.’” It is important to keep balance in that way.
There is sometimes a lack of entering into the actual circumstances of the saints. They think it is spiritual to say, “All things work together for good.” It is very easy to say that when it is someone else.
Divine Intended Results
God intends that these circumstances should produce certain results, certain exercises. God allowed this devoted servant, Epaphroditus, to be so exhausted with that journey that he was nigh unto death. Why did God allow it? It was a journey undertaken in love to Paul, his fellow-servant. This may have been allowed to happen so that the Philippians might exercise affection — might develop that grace. It had divinely intended results with the Apostle, Epaphroditus and the Philippians.
Some say that no tears should be shed at a funeral, but this is out of balance. When we go into the presence of death, there are both sides to it, and Ezra 3:11-1311And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. (Ezra 3:11‑13) should be found in all such occasions — singing and weeping mingling. There are both sides of it. There is often a lack of mingling divine and human sympathy with the people of God; they go together. When we were saved, we did not cease to be human. Human nature has its proper affections and its proper relationships.
Companionship
Philippians 2:2525Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. (Philippians 2:25) gives us the relationships. First “brother,” then “companion”; that is the next best thing. Companionship is what the human heart values and cannot get along without. The heart that does not value human companionship in its proper place has something wrong with it. “My companion in labor,” servant, fellow-soldier in conflict ... “and he that ministered to my wants.” We get the Lord giving His aged, imprisoned servant cups of cold water now to cheer him. Look at 2 Timothy 1:1515This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15) as a contrast. There is not much cold water in that, is there? There is sorrow, not refreshment. Then look at the contrast in verse 16: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.” That is very beautiful. I take it from that that he had some difficulty in finding him. Then in verse 18 we get the Apostle’s appreciation of that. “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”
Hebrews 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10) gives a nice word in regard to love shown toward His name. There he uses a remarkable expression: “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love,” and he desires the keeping of it up. There he uses a bold expression: It would be unrighteous for God to forget.
It is good to see the value the Lord places on a cup of cold water. In a special way the day of Christ will manifest that. It is important how we find the Lord taking pleasure in the little things and not in big ones. He does not say much about the gifts of millionaires in things like libraries and universities. Such have their reward in this world, for it is this world and its benefits that such givers have before them; nothing about Christ.
Joseph of Arimathea
It is good to see Joseph of Arimathea. “Not many noble, are called” (1 Cor. 1:2626For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (1 Corinthians 1:26)) — it does not say, not any. He was a disciple, but for fear of the Jews he did not confess Him. At the end two godly men, great ones (we suppose both were members of the Sanhedrin), had charge of the Lord’s burial. That brought them forward. We get nothing of Joseph until the Lord delivered up His spirit, but we knew of Nicodemus before. The truth as to the death of Christ will test whether a man is a disciple or not. That is one of the tests, and also the truth as to the atoning character of the death of Christ. Many will own that He died a martyr’s death, but when it comes to admitting that He died an atoning death, very likely those very ones will oppose and ridicule.
Joseph had to go and beg for the body. He had to get permission from Pilate. Pilate marveled if He were already dead, and he would not give the body until he knew from the centurion He was dead. There is dignity in those two men, masters in Israel, in charge of the body of Christ. Last week someone called attention to the fact that they came forward after the others had deserted Him. It was of God. Those other poor disciples had no new tomb! That makes it all the more striking. Here was one who had a tomb already prepared.
The Heart and the Intellect
There are times when the confession of Christ and the atoning work of Christ test the heart and tell who is real. You get poor, simple souls owning Christ as their Savior who do not know anything intelligently about His death, but when you bring it before them, they own it thankfully. Denial and ignorance are two different things. Many souls have been brought into peace by just resting on what God says, without knowing the value of atonement or anything of that kind, and that is very important in connection with the gospel. Just present that before souls as the truth of God, to be rested upon, because His Word is truth. It is a very happy experience to know the ground upon which God can save the poor sinner. The intellect may know all about the ground and never have rested on it.
“Ye Were Careful”
It sounds like a little reproach to the Philippians. In the former part of the chapter he says, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity” (Phil. 4:1010But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. (Philippians 4:10)). He felt not having heard from them. It was not the gift, but he wanted the affection that the gift expressed. He takes the edge off by saying, “Ye lacked opportunity.” “Ye were careful” but needed someone to take it.
W. Potter (adapted)