By Romans 16:1-16
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junias, 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 Stachys my beloved. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
I guess the first thing that struck me about this section (other then the fact that lots of my screen is red because my computer spell checker does not recognize most of the names Paul mentions), is that most of those mentioned here are commended by Paul for some aspect of them being a servant. Pheobe served the church and Paul wanted the church in Rome to serve her as well. Prisca and Aquila were fellow servants and risked their lives. Mary worked hard for the church of Rome…and on the story goes.
Paul calls himself a “bond-servant of Christ” in Romans 1:1. And in chapter 15 we are reminded that Jesus became a servant both to the circumcision and the uncircumcision. As you reflect back upon this day, how were you a servant? If the Apostle Paul were to write a letter to our church and mention you in it; what would he have to say. Would he include you and the word servant at all in the same sentence? If so, how? And if not, why not?
Leading Family Devotions 