Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

March 30th, 2008

 

"The Lesser Known Disciples (Part 4)"

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. (Romans 16:5 NIV).

The first thing to note about Epaenetus is that Paul places him very near the beginning of his list of 26 named individuals whom he greets in the larger context of our reading today. In fact, Epaenetus is second only to Priscilla and Aquilla. He is ahead of Andronicus and Junia, for example, who were "prominent among the apostles". Paul generally lists people in order of prominence, so it seems likely, then, that Epaenetus played an important role in a church in Asia.

It is only natural to as what that role might have been. Paul describes him as "firstfruits" of Asia, and this gives us a clue. The only other people whom Paul describes as "firstfruits" were the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 16:15), and we know that Stephanas was Titius Justus, who allowed Paul to start the church in Corinth by providing a house for his use. The term "firstfruits" has the sense of "first of many", or "first with the prospect of more to follow". It seems that Paul's churches were generally born when a prominent individual converted and provided a meeting place. This outlines the crucial role of benefactor which is seen in Justus in Corinth, and probably by Jason in Thessalonica. It is likely, then, that Epaenetus was the benefactor who allowed the first church in Asia to be born.

 

I have heard it said that God judges what we give by what we keep. There is the lesson for us in this lesser known disciple. Martyn Lloyd-Jones told a story about a farmer who went into the house one day to tell his wife and family some good news. "The cow just gave birth to twin calves, one red and one white," he said. He continued, "We must dedicate one of these calves to the Lord. We will bring them up together, and when the time comes, we will sell one and keep the proceeds and we will sell the other and give the proceeds to the Lords work." His wife asked him which he was going to dedicate to the Lord. "There's no need to bother about that now," he replied, "we'll treat them both in the same way and when the time comes, we'll do as I say." A few days later, he entered the kitchen looking unhappy. "What happened?" his wife asked. "I have bad news," he replied, "The Lords calf is dead." "Wait," said his wife, "you didn't decide which calf was the Lords." "Yes" he said," I decided it was the white one, and the white one died. The Lords calf is dead."

It is a humorous story but often repeated in real life. I have never found a way for the Lord to bless us when we merely give whatever is left over or used up. Give God your best, which may or may not be your money! Give him the best of your self! Be a benefactor like Epaenetus!