The Heaton File

This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus. (2 Timothy 1:15-18)

The Joy Of Onesiphorus

It was not an easy life to follow after the apostle Paul. The zealousness of his mission to carry the gospel throughout the world was well known among the brethren, and many undertook the grueling work of joining Paul on his journey. He had been falsely accused and arrested in Jerusalem and, after a few years, taken to Rome to plead his case before Caesar. Luke ends the story of the Acts of the Apostles with Paul living in a house under guard, after which the apostle is released for some time. Writing to Timothy in a second letter preserved through the Holy Spirit, Paul has been arrested again and is facing certain death. He needs his brethren to encourage him. Many failed as they turned away from the aged apostle, but some stood valiantly by his side.

Nothing is known of Phygellus and Hermogenes mentioned by Paul. These two men are among many who crossed paths with Paul in his ministry. It doesn’t seem easy to imagine brethren would turn away from Paul in his greatest hour of need, but Phygellus and Hermogenes were two that Paul inscribed on the pages of divine scripture who denied him. Were they afraid of being arrested like Paul and imprisoned? It is a sad affair when the names of two brethren are mentioned in scripture as denying Paul and thus denying Jesus Christ. They turned away from their friend. Because of the faith of Paul, Phygellus, and Hermogenes refused to be the encouragement to a man in desperate need of brethren. How sad.

Writing to Timothy about Phygellus and Hermogenes did not discourage Paul because he remembered the kindness of another brother in Christ, Onesiphorus. Nothing is known of Onesiphorus outside Paul’s letter, but what is known of him is the voice of hope and love for God. Paul was in a Roman prison facing the sentence of death. In the Roman world, it would not be uncharacteristic for associates of a condemned man to face the wrath of the authorities. Aligning oneself with Paul could bring persecution, imprisonment, and death. Onesiphorus was unconcerned about the worldview of Paul. He was concerned about Paul’s need to be refreshed, cared for, and encouraged. There was no shame in being known as a friend to one imprisoned under the sentence of death. Arriving in Rome, Onesiphorus diligently sought out the apostle to let him know he was not alone. That is the kind of friendship that is devoted to Jesus Christ first.

The church needs more people like Onesiphorus and fewer brethren like Phygellus and Hermogenes. Being a fair-weather friend does not show the encouragement brethren need from one another. Some brethren seek opportunities to encourage, and some brethren spend most of their time creating disunity, division, and confusion. Paul needed encouragement. Two men abandoned him that needed to be there for him. Onesiphorus refreshed the weary spirit of Paul and gave him hope. Jesus was abandoned by the eleven in His greatest hour of need. The church needs brethren who will stand with Jesus when accused and not be ashamed of standing for truth, no matter the cost. Let us all be like Onesiphorus. Bring joy. Instill hope. Show Christ.

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. (2 Timothy 1:5)

What Children Need To See

Timothy was brought up in a home where God was taught, and the word of God was respected. His father was a Greek and is not mentioned in scripture. When Paul wrote to Timothy in the second letter, the apostle commended the faith of his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. These two women must have had a tremendous impact on the life of Timothy as he was growing up. There was an unfeigned faith in Timothy instilled through the influence of his mother and grandmother. A sincere love of truth guided the heart of Timothy. Paul could see the influence of Lois and Eunice in the life of Timothy.

Faith is not born through the flesh but by the knowledge of the word of God. Instilling faith in Timothy came about through the diligent example of his mother and grandmother showing their faith. There is little doubt the home of Timothy was a place where the word of God was exalted, respected, and discussed. Timothy did not become a Christian because his mother was a Jewess and believed. The faith of Lois began in her mother, who taught her the word of God. Faith found itself rooted in the lives of the two women training the young boy, Timothy. What Timothy saw in his home was a love for the word of God.

Children are very perceptive and acute in their observations of family. No matter how hard parents try, children will, in many ways, grow up to be just like them. Often, this is a good thing, but sometimes, it can have a negative impact on the life of the child. What a child sees in the home will largely measure what kind of person they become. There are certain things children need to see in the home that will help guide them and instruct them in life. Children need to see God in the home. The television has become the family altar, becoming the center of life. Computers and smartphones are the electronic cocaine of parents who spend more time with glowing faces in front of the kleptomaniacs of time and energy than with their children. If God is not seen in the home, the children will learn that God is not the center of the home.

Parents show God in the home first by impressing on the children the importance of reading the Bible. If a child grows up in a home, never seeing mom or dad with an open Bible in their lap, they will be more likely to have little desire to put a Bible in their lap. One of the most important memories a child needs to have of home is seeing their parents with an open Bible. A word of caution to an earlier point: reading the Bible on a smartphone will not show the child an open Bible. They will likely believe the parent is shopping or checking social media. Children need to hear their parents read the Bible. Seeing is not enough. Hearing the words read to one another builds a foundation of faith that will be needed in life. Parents who do not read the Bible to their children or with their older children are failing to instill the genuine faith of Lois and Eunice.

Children need to see their parents praying. Daily prayers at mealtime, at bed at night, during storms, or prayers of thanksgiving during the day teach children the love of talking to God. Young people of all ages need to know how to pray. Teenagers need to pray. Toddlers can be taught to pray. If the child is embarrassed to pray, it could be from parents who do not pray. They must be taught by a daily example. Teaching children to pray shows them how much God loves them to listen to them and the importance of talking to God. They will need that when they leave home.

There are many things children need to see in the home. They need to hear the song of worship, sounds of benevolence in helping others, laughter in times of joy, comfort in times of sorrow, and God’s name magnified and respected. They do not need to see immodesty, hypocrisy, anger, lying, dishonesty, and those things that look like the world. Children need to see God reigning in every part of the home. What is watched on television or social media must glory God. Home must become the spiritual haven of safety from a crooked and perverse world. It must become the bastion of holiness in an unholy world. What do your children see? How will they describe their memories of home? You are making that decision – now!

When I send Artemas to you or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:12-14)

Our People

Paul had many people in his life who worked with him, assisted in the work of ministry, provided necessary needs, and helped to boost his spirits. Throughout his letters, he named his associates who helped in different ways. Titus was a Greek friend of Paul’s who labored in the ministry. It seems clear Paul was instrumental in teaching the gospel to Titus as he called him his true son in the common faith. Paul would tell the brethren at Corinth Titus was his partner and fellow helper. There was a close bond shared between the two men. On one of the journeys (not described by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles), Paul had been in Crete and left Titus to set things in order, appointing elders in every city.

Artemas was another fellow helper of Paul, being sent to Crete to assist Titus. Nothing is nothing of Artemas outside of the letter to Titus. Tychicus was a faithful minister of the Lord and a beloved brother of Paul. Paul had sent Tychicus to Ephesus to let the brethren know of his work and calm any concerns they had about the apostle. Tychicus would accompany Paul on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem, including another disciple named Trophimus. In his letter to Colosse and his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul commended Tychicus to the brethren.

Paul wanted Titus to join him at Nicopolis, on the western side of Greece, because he wanted to spend the winter there. He also wanted Titus to send Zenas, a lawyer, and Apollos on their journey to see Paul. Apollos was the great orator converted to the teachings of Christ by Aquila and Priscilla. There were many people of different backgrounds and talents helping Paul in the work of teaching and preaching the gospel. He was surrounded by devoted souls who gave their lives to preach the word of God in a world filled with idolatry and immorality. It took courage to stand for truth in the Roman world. Paul suffered many persecutions, and sometimes those with Paul suffered as well. Luke was a companion of the apostle on many journeys, writing about their experiences.

Another group of people was very important to Paul also. He simply described them as “our people.” These are the multitudes of the unnamed who only God knew. Paul constantly wanted to encourage the brethren to stand for truth, live holy lives, look for the promise of eternal life, and stand courageous in the face of persecution. It took a special brand of person to be a Christian. Without naming them, Paul wanted his people to maintain good works and to meet the urgent needs of the day. These were the unsung heroes who lived their lives in simple humility to be the best they could be. This is how they could do productive work.

Paul had an unusual opportunity to move throughout the Roman Empire, preaching and teaching. He was unmarried and unencumbered with family. His life was demanding and rigorous, and many could not keep pace with the apostle. There was a place for men like Paul, but there was a great need for “our people” to be the kind of persons God wanted them to be. They may never travel to a foreign land to preach, but they could maintain good works. When needs arose, they could rise. There is so much work to do for “our people” and the blessings of showing Christ in their lives. We may never have our names written on holy writ, but I have a lot of work to do as “our people.”

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:50-53)

The Veil Of The Temple

Constructing the Tabernacle of the Lord was an exact process. The Lord gave Moses a pattern to build the Tabernacle and all the instruments, articles, designs, and forms. Tables were to be measured precisely. Gold ornaments adorned many pieces of the Tabernacle. Garments worn by the High Priest, the priests, and the Levites were exact. God told Moses to set up the Tabernacle according to the pattern shown on the mountain. Inside the Tabernacle, there was a special curtain of finely woven linen. It was decorated with blue, purple, scarlet thread and skillfully embroidered cherubim. The veil was to be hung on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood overlayed with gold, set in four silver bases. God instructed Moses to hang the inner curtain from clasps and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

Many years later, when Solomon built the Temple of the Lord, he also followed the pattern given to him by the Lord. Across the entrance of the Most Holy Place, he hung a curtain made of fine linen, decorated with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and embroidered with figures of cherubim. After the people returned from seventy years in Babylon, the temple was rebuilt under the direction of Zerubbabel. In the eighteenth year of King Herod, the temple was rebuilt, and another veil was placed between the Holy Place and the Most Holy. This was a thick and gorgeously wrought veil some sixty feet high and thirty feet wide. When the veil rents apart, the priest who offered incense at the evening sacrifice about this same hour would have seen it rip and heard the incredible tearing noise.

The tearing of the veil was not man-made. God tore the curtain from top to bottom, showing His great power, declaring salvation had come to the earth through Jesus Christ. There is no other Savior whereby men can be saved. The Law of Moses would no longer save the Jew and the law of faith the Gentile. Jesus Christ became the veil, bringing all men to the Father. There was only one path to the Most Holy of Holies, where the Lord dwelt among the Cherubim. When Jesus died, the path to the Father for the Jews and Gentiles was only through the Son of God. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, all men can enter what was once forbidden.

In the religious world, there are many ways men seek eternal life in the Father. There are vast rooms built by men declaring salvation in Jesus Christ. They are decorated nicely with the trappings of religion filled with the dogmas of human wisdom. These rooms abound to accommodate the whims of the people to serve God in their own fashion. Millions of people fill these rooms, worshiping God and praising Jesus Christ. Sadly, they fail to understand the only place of salvation is behind the veil of Jesus Christ. There is only one place where eternal life is granted, and it’s through the veil. They have different names for the rooms built by men teaching doctrines not found in the Bible. Many are convinced if they accept Jesus as their personal Savior, they have gone behind the veil. Some religious groups encourage people to be good, and they will be saved. When the truth of the gospel is taught, showing the pathway through the veil, people will scoff and call the act a work and deny it.

There is only one way to the Father, and it is through the veil of Jesus Christ. Without obedience to the gospel of Christ, there will be no hope. The rooms are filled with those deceived into believing they are serving Christ when all they do is serve themselves. God constructed the Tabernacle and the Temple according to a pattern. The early church was built upon the pattern given by the Holy Spirit, including design, organization, and message of salvation. Denying the New Testament teachings denies the veil, Jesus Christ. Peter preached the message of the veil when he told the multitude, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Welcome to the veil. Enter to find eternal life.

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore. (Psalm 133)

Unity Of Brethren

David understood the character of God’s people and the purpose they served in the scheme of God’s divine plan. The Lord created Adam and Eve as two people bound together in the unity of family but distinct in their characteristics. Humanity would bear the mark of their individuality as the world exploded in population. The murder of Abel was as much a stain on the purpose of God for men to live together in harmony as the act itself. From the beginning, God desired His creation to live in peace with one another. People are different from one another and must learn to live together and respect one another. The Law of Moses was filled with commands of how brethren were to treat one another. When Moses delivered the Ten Commandments, the first four were directed toward the relationship of man and God, and the final six of how men were to treat one another. There can be no vertical relationship with God if a man refuses to have the right kind of horizontal relationship with his brethren.

The spirit of unity has always been what God desires. He commands those who seek to follow His will to seek harmony in their relationships with one another. Aaron and Miriam murmured against Moses to the anger of the Lord. They were not trying to help Moses and to bring about unity. Korah tried to lead a rebellion against Moses, and he and his followers were destroyed by the hand of God. They were trying to destroy the unity of the people of God. Complaining, murmuring, gossiping, and divisive speech angers the Lord. It is the will of God that His people walk in the paths of unity. There is nothing better than God’s people serving the same purpose under the same banner, seeking the same unification of the work of the Lord.

Paul told the preacher Titus that if people are causing division, to give a first and second warning, and if they refuse to repent, have nothing more to do with them. To the Roman church, Paul urged them to note those who cause division and disunity and to avoid them. Unity is the character of those seeking to show the pattern of the New Testament. Luke speaks of the church in the early days having peace, filled with edification, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. As a result of this unity, they were multiplying. That is where the church grows, and that is where it falls. Churches that are filled with unity-minded people will grow in spirit and number. Those churches who spend their time fussing, complaining, refusing to move forward, and causing division will die.

Unity is the grand design of God for His church. When brethren work together toward the same goal, growth happens. Leaders must be united. Members must seek the same goals. The work of teaching the lost is motivated by the desire to stand together in the work of the Lord, united under the same banner, fighting the same battle, seeking the same cause, and helping one another accomplish the work of the Lord. There is little time for distractions. Lost souls fill the landscape, and the church must be busy with the work of unity. Each individual who is doing their part in unifying the hearts of the members to the goal of saving souls will see the blessings of growth from the hand of God. How joyful it is when brethren dwell together in unity. Seek it. Demand it. Live it. Unity.

For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. (Psalm 33:4)

God’s Word Is Truth

The word of God has always been true without regard to man or circumstance. When the Lord told Adam and Eve they would die when they ate the forbidden fruit, they died when they ate. God promised to flood the earth, killing all that had the breath of life and save Noah and his family. Everyone on earth died except the eight souls in the ark. Abram and Sarai were told they would have a son in their old age. Through the power and glory of God’s covenant with Abram, Isaac was born to a man one hundred years of age and his wife of ninety. The Lord promised Abraham a nation would come from his seed. Moses led the Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage to Sinai, where the nation of Israel was born. Because of disobedience and unfaithfulness, God punished Israel with forty years of wilderness wanderings, and each year was fulfilled.

Reading the Bible brings the distinct impression time and again that what God says is truth. This is the case whether it is a blessing or a curse. There are endless stories of the word of the Lord promising blessings to those who obey Him, and those blessings are provided. More often than not, the word of the Lord warns of punishment against those who disobey Him. In every case, the word of the Lord is truth. When the people worshiped the golden calf at Sinai, three thousand men were killed who refused to repent. Everyone aged twenty and up perished in the wilderness for the rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea. Joshua and Caleb were spared because they believed in the word of the Lord. Achan learned of the wrath of God when he took the devoted things from Jericho. David could not escape his adultery and murder, spending the rest of his life in conflict. The northern ten tribes of Israel laughed and scorned the prophets who warned them of impending destruction at the hands of the Assyrians until the army of the Assyrians destroyed the ten tribes to a man.

Noah believed in the promises of God and was delivered. Abraham accepted the fact that his body and the womb of his wife were dead but that God could create life, and Isaac was born. Joshua and Caleb knew the inhabitants of Canaan were nothing before the might of the power of God. When the Lord told Joshua how to conquer Jericho, the man of God did not hesitate. Daniel and his three friends were taken captive by the Babylonians and, in the face of great peril, never lost their faith in the word of God. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in fifty-five days with the faith that moved mountains. The word of the Lord is truth to those who believe in the power of the word of God.

Jesus is the embodiment of the word of God because He is the Word. Everything about Jesus is the word of His Father. When men seek God, they must find Jesus. The promise of eternal life is given to all that believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Anything short of this will result in destruction. The word of God is true when it declares Jesus as Lord and Christ. Jesus said He was the only way to the Father, the message of truth, and the means of eternal life. All Jesus taught is truth, and all Jesus did was truth. He gave the word of truth to His disciples, who went into all the world preaching Jesus Christ. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter told those gathered what they must do to be saved. The word of the truth declared by the Holy Spirit is that all men must repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Based on the grace of God, His mercy, and love, all men must hear and obey the word of truth.

When Noah heard that God was going to destroy the world with a watery grave, he believed, and he acted. God’s grace told Noah what was coming and what he must do to be saved. Noah’s faith acted with works when he believed the word of truth and built the ark exactly as directed by the Lord. While the waters destroyed all life, the water saved Noah and his family. The word of truth is that water will destroy all those who refuse it and save all those who obey it. God’s word is right, and all of His works are done in truth.

So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus after he had scourged Him to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)

The Reason To Kill A Man

Life is most precious and should be regarded with the sanctity of what life represents. Every soul is a living being housed in a body of flesh and blood. The color of a man’s skin is not the summation of his worth. Humans come in different sizes, shapes, styles, and stories that define the character of their life. God requires the blood of a man who destroys another man’s life. There is a distinct difference between man and animal. A beast can be killed and eaten to sustain a man’s life, but when one man kills another man, it is murder. God created man in his image, and to kill another is to decry the design of God and the purpose of man. Respect for life was first learned in the tragic story of Cain and Abel. The cry of the slain reached the throne of God against Cain, who struck and killed his brother.

Pilate sits on the judgment seat of Roman power. He alone can adjudicate the sentence of any man with or without regard to the humanity of the accused. For Pilate, life is anything but precious. He had massacred some Galileans at their altar of sacrifice, and killing anyone was a whim of choice. Standing before Pilate is a man from the city of Nazareth. He is unimpressed with Jesus of Nazareth as a man. There was nothing remarkable about the Jew standing before Him. Pilate marveled at how calm and quiet Jesus was when attacked by the crowd and facing the rigorous interrogation of Herod and Pilate. Confronted by a crowd of rabble, Pilate vainly tried in his weakness to excuse Jesus and release him. He knew Jesus was on trial because of envy. It was within his power to release Jesus.

The pressure on the governor was intense as the crowd threatened to accuse him of betraying Caesar if he allowed Jesus to go free. Pilate’s wife warned him. He knew in his heart Jesus was innocent. His futile efforts to release Jesus only magnified how weak a man he was. Nothing was going to change the situation as it spiraled out of control. The Roman army could have come in and dispersed the riot, but Pilate chose to bow to the wishes of the crowd. Wanting to make the crowd happy and to save his position, Pilate released Barabbas and gave Jesus over to be crucified. Because of envy, Pilate had a man killed.

Jesus came to save the world from the tyranny of evil hearts like Pilate. The cruelties and injustices have not changed in two thousand years, but the answer to envy and hatred is Jesus Christ. Life is as precious now as it was when God created life. The world is filled with murder as each day thousands of innocents are killed in the womb in abortion—wars rage as nations seek to destroy other nations. Crime escalates with murder rates rising. Innocent men and women are caught in the crosshairs of evil. When life is viewed as an insignificant blob of matter with no worth, men become the base species of animal they are not.

God did not create life to be viewed as something that can be thrown away. Pilate had Jesus killed to satisfy the crowd. Life meant nothing to Pilate. It mattered nothing to him. He was able to wave his hand, and Jesus was scourged and crucified with little thought. Pilate thought so little of the value of life he committed suicide years later. What a lifeless and miserable life. God created man and breathed into him the breath of life, and man became a living soul. The nature of man is very precious in the sight of the One who formed, created, and gave life. Jesus left heaven to become a man and die for the purpose of the Father to give man hope. Life is precious. Eternal life is the most precious life that can be desired. There is meaning to life because it is of value. Everyone has value in the eyes of God. Jesus died for everybody – nobody was left out. You are special. God loves you. He wants to give you eternal life. Let Jesus give you life.

And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor. (Luke 6:13-16)

Twelve Men

The work of the kingdom was planned before time began. Jesus came to build His church to spread the message of the Father to the world for generations to come. Little consideration is given to the magnitude of the plan to leave in the hands of humanity the task of creating a kingdom that would not be shaken over thousands of years and maintaining the unity of the same message. Jesus knew He must come to earth, but He also knew He would not be staying. For almost three years, He set forth His mission and then left the Father’s work in the hands of twelve men who were as different as night and day.

Choosing twelve men to create an organization lasting for generations was not accomplished by the wisdom of men. Those who made up the twelve men were fishermen, hated tax collector, a zealot who opposed the Romans, and untrained men of no social position. None of the twelve had the qualifications of leadership to imagine carrying out such a task. Jesus chooses twelve men out of His disciples. When the Jewish leaders challenged the leaders of the Way, they noted they were uneducated and untrained men. The one thing they could admit was the devotion the men had for Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus spent the night in prayer before selecting the twelve apostles. The men He asked to be His inner circle were tasked with preaching the kingdom of Christ, healing and performing miracles, raising the dead, casting out demons, and following Him from place to place in a grueling pace of activity. It was a hard life to follow the ministry of Jesus. The twelve saw and participated in the miracles of Jesus. When Jesus fed more than five thousand people, the twelve men witnessed the creation of an abundance of food. During a storm on the Sea of Galilee, eleven men watched as Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water to Jesus. The twelve stood in awe as Lazarus came out of the tomb four days after he died. Often Jesus directed His teaching to the twelve. There were many questions asked by the twelve.

Little is known of most of the twelve. Peter was impetuous. John was the beloved apostle. Peter, James, and John formed a close-knit part of Jesus’ work. Thomas was the most courageous of the twelve and seemed to have a deeper mind than others. Philip was inquisitive. Judas was a trusted leader among the twelve assigned to manage the monies collected. Andrew had a deep faith. Thaddeus asked questions. James and John argued about greatness fueled by the mistaken ideas of their mother. The twelve argued among themselves who would be greatest in the kingdom of Christ. When Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. All the apostles became angry when they saw this, calling it a waste.

The twelve men were not perfect and struggled to comprehend the teachings of Jesus fully. They were afraid of being killed, fearful of the storms even when Jesus was with them, and did not understand much of the parables of Jesus. When great faith was needed to cast out a demon, they failed. Peter opened his mouth too often. Judas became a traitor and sold his beloved Lord for thirty pieces of silver. The eleven deserted Jesus in His greatest hour of need. Peter denounced his friend and Lord three times, cursing he did not know Jesus. The Lord heard and saw what Peter did. Judas would commit suicide. Peter would spend days in deep grief over his betrayal. The other apostles hid in fear of the Jews. And then Jesus appeared to them, risen from the dead.

Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon, Judas the son of James, and later Matthias would change the world. These twelve men (along with a host of saints) established the kingdom that will last until the coming of the King. The twelve men who stood before the crowd at Pentecost never gave up their faith. They gave their lives for Jesus Christ. We stand on the shoulders of giants – twelve men who served Jesus Christ and the will of the Father. Let us all be like the twelve who remained faithful to the end.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Kindness

Many attributes make up the character of the child of God. They are full of forgiveness. Blessed by God to be called His children, the blood of Christ cleanses them from sin. The grace of God abounds in the life of those in the kingdom. Paul exhorted the brethren to obey the laws of the land, praying for all leaders and those in authority. Husbands and wives are to love one another as the relationship between Christ and the church. There are so many important traits where the disciple of Christ shines as a light in the world. One of the simplest and yet could be the most challenging is learning to be kind to one another.

J. W. von Goethe said, “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.” A Hebrew proverb suggests, “Kindness is the beginning and the end of the law.” For the Christian, it is one of the greatest testimonies of how they have changed from the nature of the world to the grace of God’s love. Paul says to be kind to one another. Those led by the example of Christ will show kindness, speak kindness, and extend kindness to those deserving and those who do not deserve it. Jesus told His disciples to love their enemies and pray for them. Being kind to those who are enemies is giving them a cup of cold water in the name of Christ. Being kind is being Christ.

Kindness is something that must be practiced. First, the mind of being kind to all men begins with the knowledge of God’s word. One of the challenges of kindness is the inability to desire to be nice to others. There are a lot of folks in the world who do not deserve charity. It is the instinct of people to treat others like they are being treated. When one reads the word of God, the first thing that must be admitted is the kindness of God towards sinful man. If the Lord treated humanity the way men treated men, He would have never sent His Son, Jesus Christ. Reading the story of redemption shows man’s heart why he must be kind to others – God was kind to him. The kind heart is the heart of God.

Showing kindness is found in the way we talk to others. Sometimes it’s hard to be friendly to those who make life difficult, but biting the tongue, taking a breath, and thinking kind things will show Christ. Anger is not a part of the Christian character. Allowing the emotions to overflow to where things are said and done filled with strife is not showing kindness. The command of the Holy Spirit is to be kind to one another. When husbands and wives have troubled marriages, it begins because kindness is forgotten. Churches face trials within when kindness is not first sought after. Feelings and grudges are established with heartless feelings of unkindness prevail. Being kind to one another is truth in action.

The measure of kindness is found in learning to have tender hearts and a willingness to forgive. When a man struggles with learning to be kind and showing that kindness to others, he has forgotten that God was kind to him, showing mercy through a tender heart and forgiving a man who did not deserve forgiveness. To be kind to one another is measured by the statement of the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit that said, “Even as God in Christ forgave you.” Why am I learning to be kind to one another? How can I have hope of eternal life without being kind? What will happen if I refuse to be kind? Jesus taught forgiveness from the Father is based in part on the forgiveness given to one another. Being kind to one another comes from a grateful heart that knows how much kindness (abounding; unlimited; eternal) the Father has bestowed on me. Be kind.

And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:23-26)

The One Who Was Not Chosen

After Judas killed himself, the need to fill his place was recognized by the eleven. Gathered with over one hundred disciples, Peter addresses the crowd to select some men to be put forth before the Lord to serve as the twelfth apostle. The group chose two names: Joseph, called Barsabas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias. Remarkably, neither of these men are mentioned in scripture in any other place. They were part of the disciples of Christ, and Matthias would be selected as the twelfth apostle and then disappear on the pages of holy writ. Matthias would share in the life of the apostles, the persecutions, and the work of preaching the gospel to the world. Joseph would be among the early disciples, but nothing is known of him.

The selection of the twelfth apostles was left to the will of God. After Joseph and Matthias were put forth, the assembly prayed to the Lord to choose who would take part in the ministry and apostleship. No one in the room that day knew what lay ahead for the kingdom of God and how the apostles would begin to lay the foundation of the church. The lot fell on Matthias, and he was counted as an apostle. To a large degree, Matthias knew as little about what would take place as the eleven. This would all change on the Day of Pentecost when Matthias and the other apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit and began preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Matthias would be beaten by the Jews and face persecution from those opposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Like most of the apostles, the life of Matthias is left to traditions of the early church.

Joseph, called Barsabas, surnamed Justus, was not chosen. Maybe his name was too long. God made the choice, and it was not Joseph. The reality was that only one could be selected from among the disciples. God choosing Matthias did not suggest Joseph was not a qualified candidate to carry out the mission, but the Lord decided Matthias would better fit the role than Joseph. On the positive side, it would be suggested Joseph was happy for Matthias and not envious for any reason. At the time, the eleven were unaware of the involvement of their work in taking the teachings of Jesus Christ to the world. Jesus had returned to the Father, and the twelve were to remain in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high.

The Holy Spirit did not tell the life story of the one who was not chosen. He was qualified to be an apostle, which speaks volumes about his character and faith. There would have been other men who could have fit the mold, but only Joseph and Matthias were chosen. After Matthias was selected, Joseph would have continued to be a vital part of the early church to spread the gospel. It is tantalizing to think about what kind of work he did to help establish the infant church. He could have seen the providential hand of God in selecting Matthias as the Lord’s will, being the most important part of the kingdom. Accepting the selection of the Lord was to God’s glory.

It is difficult to understand how things work out in life, and sometimes, it is not as a person desires. Joseph would have been excited to be an apostle, but he was not chosen. Did he pout and fret about Matthias being chosen above him? It is highly unlikely. We may not be able to preach, lead a song, teach a class, or go on missionary journeys to far lands, but there is much work for all the ‘Joseph people’ in the church. They are the ones who roll up their sleeves and put their hands to the work of the kingdom for the glory of God. They are the quiet disciples that few know about that minister daily in the work of the church. Like Joseph, they have great faith in the will of God. Their lives are not filled with envy but hope and excitement to be part of the church of Christ. Not everyone can be a Matthias. But the church needs a lot of people with long names: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus.