Paul warmly expresses the good relationship that he has with the Philippian Christians. In particular, he talks about sharing in God’s grace and about feeling compassion towards them. As Roji Thomas George (Philippians) expresses it: “Paul experiences such a strong emotion for them from his very inner being – his heart, liver and lungs – which in later Jewish writings is the source of deep emotions … in a sense, Paul claims to say: “God is my witness that I feel deep within me like dying for you if it is for your good.””
Grace and compassion are both strong Gospel words expressive of that deep level of relationship to be experienced when God is involved. Paul has a very special feeling towards the Philippians, not least because of his conviction that it is reciprocated. I wonder who it is that we might regard in a similar way? I wonder where we most feel the impact of God’s grace on our lives? I wonder who is compassionate towards us, and who it is for whom we feel compassion, and whether these are the same?
Does Paul’s reference to them sharing with him God’s grace mean that they are suffering the same kind of restrictions as those to which he is subject, perhaps also imprisoned? Or is this a reflection of their sending gifts to sustain him in his difficult situation? Whatever the detail, and we cannot be sure of that, this is surely an expression of partnership. These are reliable people with whom he has a deep emotional bond. The reference to his responding to them with the compassion of Christ indicates the level of commitment within the relationship. Jesus’ modelling of compassion is one that challenges us to look beyond the people and places with whom we might expect to be concerned. I wonder how often, and in what circumstances, we look to others with the compassion of Jesus?
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