Philippians 2:25-30 (NIV)
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
The Philippian Christians had sent Epaphroditus to Rome to bring him greetings and to see what could be done to help Paul while he was under house arrest. So, Epaphroditus had served Paul for several weeks, doing whatever was needed.
Then Epaphroditus had fallen stick and had almost died. Word of his serious illness had reached the Philippian believers, and they had poured out abundant prayers for him. Those prayers, as well as the prayers of Paul and his companions in Rome, had been powerful and effective (James 5:14- 16), and he had been restored to health.
Paul was now sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi for two reasons. One was that he had agreed to carry Paul’s letter to the church there. And the other was that the Philippians would be able to see him healthy and strong again, and be comforted and reassured.
Paul points out that Epaphroditus had almost died for the work of Christ, which may strike some as odd. After all, he wasn’t a missionary in untamed wilderness areas. He was basically an errand runner in a major metropolitan city.
But Paul understood that the things that Epaphroditus had done, things that though they were often simple, were in alignment with his gifts and callings, had helped support an enable the “greater works” that Paul was doing. Without those working behind the scenes, those on the front of the stage are hampered in the work that they have been called to do and are less effective because of that. People like Epaphroditus, those who work in the background in less visible, less “glamorous” jobs, are essential in helping the work of the Kingdom move forward.
Father, I have had many people in my life who have worked behind the scenes in the power of the Holy Spirit to enable the ministry that I have been doing, and I thank You for them. Without them and their diligent work faithfully done, I would have been far less effective always, and completely ineffective at other times. And there have been other times that I have been one of those working in the background to support the ministries of others who were doing what I was not called to do, but what I could support. One hand washes the other, and the work of the Kingdom moves forward. Thank you, Lord, for the putting the right people in the right jobs at the right time, so that the gospel moves forward, and so that You are glorified. Amen.