Philippians 2:28 - The love-incubator

"Therefore more earnestly I sent him, in order that having seen him again you should rejoice and I may be griefless." 

-Paul, as was natural for him, was concerned for the well-being of the Philippians and would have experienced a level of relief knowing that they would be likewise relieved and rejoicing to see their brother Epaphroditus and that in good health.  The common thread in this entire section is Paul’s others-first focus on the well-being of others and of the assemblies of local Christ-followers in so many places, especially those like this one which he had helped to establish (2Corinthians 11.28, Colossians 1.24-25, Philippians 2.17).

-Paul’s concern in this instance essentially stemmed from two specific causes.  He was concerned about this one who had become his valued and trusted comrade-in-arms in the Gospel, Epaphroditus, who was longing to see his home assembly because they had heard he was sick.  And Paul was also concerned about the Philippian assembly, because they had heard about Epaphroditus being sick and were no doubt anxious to hear some news about his health.  The word of the sickness likely would not have traveled to Philippi unless it was serious, but apparently the details were sketchy.  And so, Paul was concerned about Epaphroditus, who was concerned about his fellow believers in his home assembly in Philippi, who were concerned about Epaphroditus, which made Paul concerned about them!  Everyone being concerned about others!  How glorious to see this love that they had for one another, that they would demonstrate such concern for one another, particulaly for any one of their members who had fallen sick.  I wonder to what extent would this degree of love and concern even be able to pervade our modern-day mega churches, full of uber-busy, self-sufficient, ruggedly-individualistic and disconnected spiritual consumers?  Do we have even a rudimentary understanding of how the Body is designed to function and of the make up of the Body, and of the truth that if just one member suffers the whole Body is to suffer with it (1Corinthians 12.26)?  The 'church' I attend is the Body, the spiritual family to which I belong.  It is an incubator for the everlasting love of Almighty God.  Jesus intended that the love we show for one another be proof positive to a lost world that we are truly following Him (John 13.34-35).  But we so easily let personalities and preferences and past hurts and perceived slights separate us.  We pursue our own agendas and schedules and interests with barely a second thought about the interests of others.  O Lord, have mercy on Your people, fill us with Your love and with such radical others-first that the world may truly see and come to know the love You have for them...