The Man with a Sympathetic Heart (Col. 4:10a)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 6/14/2017 10:39 PM

My Worship Time                                                        Focus:  The Man with a Sympathetic Heart

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Colossians 4:10a

            Message of the verses:  “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings;”

            Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes the following about Aristarchus:  “This man was identified as Paul’s fellow prisoner and fellow worker (Col. 4:11).  Aristarchus was from Macedonia and was one of Paul’s traveling companions (Acts 19:29).  He was originally from Thessalonica (Acts. 20:4) and willingly risked his life in that in that Ephesian riot (Acts 19:28-41).  He sailed with Paul to Rome (Acts 27:2), which meant he also experienced the storm and shipwreck that Luke so graphically described in Acts 27.

            “Aristarchus stayed with Paul no matter what the circumstances were—a riot in Ephesus, a voyage, a storm, or even a prison.  It is not likely that Aristarchus was an official Roman prisoner.  ‘Fellow prisoner’ probably means that Aristarchus shared Paul’s confinement with him so that he could be a help and comfort to the apostle.  He was a voluntary prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

            “Paul could not have accomplished all that he did apart from the assistance of his friends.  Aristarchus stands out as one of the greatest of Paul’s helpers.  He did not look for an easy   task.  He did not run when the going got tough.  He suffered and labored with Paul.”

            John MacArthur writes also about the following words “Fellow prisoner” stating “is from aichmalotos, which literally means ‘one caught with a spear.’  It refers to war captives, or prisoners.  It is unlikely that Aristarchus was actually a prisoner; Paul refers to him as such because he shared Paul’s prison existence.  That he chose to make Paul’s lifestyle his own speaks of his sympathetic, caring heart.  He gave up his own freedom to minister to Paul’s needs.  Any leader would be enriched to have a faithful Aristarchus at his side through all his trials.  The Lord’s work would not be done if it were not for people like Aristarchus, who humbly bear hardships without the fame of those they serve.”

            I think that he was not only sympathetic, but was also very humble as he was not seeking his glory, but the glory of the Lord as he ministered to Paul.

6/14/2017 10:57 PM