15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
Apostle Paul ministered to the Lord together with many people who were around him. Apostle Paul had ministry partners before when things were smooth but they - like Phygelus and Hermogenes - had deserted him while Paul was put into jail and held in chains. This kind of ministry relationship could not pass the test in severe trials. On the other hand, Apostle Paul still had loyal friends, like Onesiphorus, who faithfully stood by his side no matter how the situations were so bad and Paul had even become a prisoner in jail. This kind of trusting friendship was more than a simply ministry relationship and persevered and could last for a life-long time. Paul modeled himself before his mentoree Timothy that ministry involved suffering and sometimes even betrayal from his ministry partners. Nevertheless, true trusting friendship that developed in the ministry life could last for a life-long time and passed the trial. Onesiphorus stood besides Paul though he was put into jail;he was not ashamed of Paul's chains; and he supported Paul and refreshed him while Paul was mostly in needs.
My Master Jesus, I hunger for Your Presence and mercy in my life but at the same time I also desire for true friendship that surpasses merely ministry working relationship. I want to keep my friends accountable to God but also keep myself accountable to my spiritual friends as well. Authentic Christian life requires authenticity that I can be transparent to my God and my soul friends as well.
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