Philippians 3
Paul opens the third chapter of his letter to the Philippians this way. “Whatever happens dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.” You read that and you may think to yourself that’s just typical “pastor speak”. It’s basically Paul’s job to say uplifting things to try and get his church focused on Jesus and being good people and all that stuff. Well, here’s what you should know about Paul’s personal circumstance at the time that he writes this sentence.
He’s in a shared prison cell, either in Rome or Ephesus awaiting trial for his life. He is chained to a wall in that cell. The prison doesn’t provide anything by way of food or clothing, Paul has to depend on the goodness of others to provide for these things. And at its core this letter to the Philippian church is in fact a thank you note of sorts. The church has sent one of its most faithful brothers, a man named Epaphroditus, to deliver to Paul a financial gift that will help him see to his personal necessities.
As Paul receives this valuable gift, he takes time in this letter to remind his friends in Philippi that there’s an even greater gift bringing him peace. That’s the priceless gift of knowing Jesus. That’s the gift that enables Paul to sit in a prison cell and find joy. It’s the gift that allows him to look around and see a spiritual mission field set before him. It’s the gift that gives him the boldness to see that opportunity for what it is and share with passion the gospel of Jesus Christ to a group of men who might otherwise never hear it.
In chapter one of this same letter, verses 12-14 Paul writes this.
“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.”
Take a minute and think about the last time your life was off the rails. You’re miserable. Hopeless. Dejected. In those moments is your first thought, “You know what would make me feel better? Going out sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ!”
Me either.
But it should be and the reason it should be is because if we know Jesus no matter how bad things may get here, there’s a greater joy coming. If we can get ourselves to the place where that hopeful expectation overwhelms the burdens we face here in the world, then we are truly serving Jesus’ Kingdom as His disciples.
Paul closes Philippians chapter 3 with this.
“But we are citizens of Heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”
If we get to the place where we know Jesus and find ourselves in ongoing fellowship with Him, the promise of Heaven is the thing that allows us to find joy in the trial. So that even when you find yourself in a sense chained to a prison wall someplace, instead of wallowing you find yourself sharing the supernatural hope that comes to us only through Jesus. That’s what from possessing the priceless knowledge of Him and His love for you.