The power of community!

Romans 16:1-16

Scripture: Romans 16:1-16 (ESV) "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well; and greet the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who has labored much in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them."

Devotion:

My Grandmother and I share a birthday. And as it happened we also shared a significant birthday milestone, in that when I turned 21, she turned 90 on the same day. My parents arranged a special trip overseas for us to share this birthday together, unbeknownst to her and I will never forget the joy in her face when she saw her children and grandchildren whom she had not seen for over 5 years. It was a wonderful family reunion where everyone had their spot, everyone knew everyone and everyone was happy to see each other. Of course not every family reunion goes like that, but that is the the atmosphere Paul creates in Romans 16 as he finishes his letter. We should see this not so much as a list of names, but rather as a celebration of the vibrant, interconnected church community in Rome. They had been bound by faith and mutual support and it showed.

Paul begins by commending Phoebe, a key figure in the church at Cenchreae, highlighting her role as a patron. He then moves on to Prisca and Aquila, who had risked their lives for him, and mentions numerous others, each noted for their unique contributions to the ministry. From those who hosted church gatherings in their homes to those who labored hard in service of the gospel, each person receives a specific acknowledgment.

This passage reminds us that the early church was a network of living, breathing relationships. Every member had a place and a role to play. Everyone had the same mission - spreading the gospel, but everyone contributed to that mission in a different way. But this passage also reminds us that spreading the gospel is not just about physically preaching the Word, rather it requires a church family to work together. Each name here is a story of a life dedicated to the cause of Christ. Every church member is a piece of the larger picture of the church.

But is that true of your church? Perhaps more than anything, this list of names is a reminder of the purpose of the church. The church is there to make disciples by spreading the gospel. Does your church’s programs and processes actually do that? when members think of “ministry” does it actually involve things that proclaim the word? If Paul was to look through your church, would he be able to highlight a list of people who oriented their lives around the gospel in whatever way they could?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the beautiful tapestry of relationships that make up Your church. Help us to value each person, recognizing their contributions and supporting them in their spiritual journey. Teach us to foster a community of gratitude and mutual respect, where everyone can feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Amen.

Spiritual Challenge:

Today, take a moment to reach out to someone in your church or community who may feel overlooked or undervalued. Offer a word of appreciation or a simple gesture of recognition. Let’s strive to build a community where everyone is acknowledged and celebrated, just as Paul demonstrated with the early believers.