25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Philippians 2)
Paul was wowed. That did not happen often with this man who saw the world. He had seen a lot, good and bad, but he was impressed with Epaphroditus and his life of sacrifice and service for Christ and His people. He cared about Paul and had come to minister to him in a time of distress. He even cared when his home church was worried about him, and was distressed by their worry. He is an example of how we should feel and act towards our brothers and sisters in their times of sickness and distress, caring about their physcial, emotional, and financial needs, and doing all we can to sooth those hurts. Epaphroditus is not just memorable for his name, but for the impression he left on Paul and the church. May more of us follow his example of going above and beyond.
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