23rd December 2023

23rd December 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Romans 16v21)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


This will be my last devotion before the Christmas celebrations and although I'm tempted to break from Romans for just a day, I will resist. As Paul bids farewell to the Romans he mentions that Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater all send their greetings. Who were these men?


Timothy had travelled with Paul on his second missionary journey and as I'm sure you are well aware, he received two letters from the Apostle who saw Timothy as "my true child in the faith" (1 Timothy 1v2).


Lucius might be Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13v1) but then again he might not. Jason was most likely from Thessalonica where his house was attacked and he was dragged before the city authorities (Acts 17v5-7). Lastly, Sosipater was from Berea (Acts 20v4). These men were called "kinsmen" by Paul which likely suggests they were Jewish converts to Christ but aside from these bare facts, that's about all I can say.


Perhaps I can mention that outside the Scriptures Jason and Sosipater were bishops of Tarsus and Iconium respectively. These men are also considered instrumental in bringing the Gospel to a place called Corfu - perhaps you've holidayed there? But once more...that's about it.


Whilst verses like this one can seem obscure and unimportant I think they are still worth reading and meditating upon. Not least because all Scripture is breathed out by God but also because I think they're very relevant for Christmas. Did you know that? Read verse twenty-one again, do you see anything remotely Christmassy?


I don't think I'm stretching to say that although I can't tell you much about three of the four men mentioned in this verse, I can say that all four of them required the birth of Jesus. The Lord's coming had nothing to do with trees or turkeys and everything to do with the lost of this sinful world.


When you wake on Christmas morning remind yourself that without the birth of Jesus and His ultimate death and resurrection, you and I would be spiritually dead and facing the fearsome wrath of a righteously angry God. But thanks be to God! A child was born and a son was given. He did not come to save the rich and famous but all who would believe and remarkably the Lord knows the name of even the least of His saints (2 Timothy 2v19).


You may be unknown in this world and sometimes you might feel like no one would miss you if you were gone...but I know that's not true. By faith in Christ you are known to God and acceptable in His sight. This Christmas if we could somehow read the names in the Lamb's Book of Life then we would see among many others Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater and you. What a gift. What a Saviour. May you have a wonderful Christmas. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q23 What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer? Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
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