Philemon!

 

We don’t often hear readings from Paul’s letter to Philemon—and that’s largely because we’ve just heard almost the entire letter this morning. It’s one of the shortest books in the Bible, but it’s packed with meaning and challenge, as well as grace.

Paul wrote from house arrest in Rome to Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had fled to Rome and there, he encountered Paul and was led to faith in Jesus. Now Paul writes to ask Philemon to receive Onesimus back - not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. And Paul doesn’t just ask - he offers to pay back any debt that Onesimus owes. 

There are several themes that rise from this short letter.

First, the issue of slavery. It’s troubling to us of course, and rightly so. Though it was accepted in Paul’s time, we know that no one should ever be owned by another. And tragically, slavery still exists today - in forced labour, human trafficking, and exploitation. But the gospel speaks into this. It proclaims freedom. Onesimus ran from slavery and found a deeper freedom than he could have imagined—freedom in Christ. And that same freedom is offered to all who feel trapped, lost, or forgotten.

Second, we see Paul’s commitment. He didn’t just preach and move on. He helped disciples to grow. He loved and he advocated. Even under arrest, Paul was sharing the good news of Jesus and working to restore broken relationships. That’s the call of every Christian - not just to speak of Jesus, but to live out his love with courage and compassion. We may feel inadequate or afraid, but Jesus still calls us to go and make disciples. Paul reminds us that gospel work is personal, costly, but worth it.

Then there’s Philemon. Onesimus had wronged him. In that culture, punishment would have been expected. But Paul asks for something radical - forgiveness, grace, restoration. He asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus not as a servant, but as a brother. That’s the transforming power of the gospel. It doesn’t just mend but it redefines. It doesn’t just restore, it elevates.

And these themes speak to us today. We are called to stand against slavery in all its forms, to offer hope to those in despair, and to be people of reconciliation. The Church must be a place where the broken find healing, where the lost find direction, and where the guilty find grace. That’s the heart of Jesus. He didn’t stay distant, but stepped into the mess of humanity, stood with the oppressed, and brought light into darkness.

So, who are the Onesimuses around us? Who are the people longing for freedom, for hope, for a second chance? Some are far away, caught in systems of injustice. But others are close - neighbours, colleagues, even family—living in emotional or spiritual bondage. And we are not called to judge. We are called to love.

Paul’s example challenges us. He didn’t stop at conversion. He walked with Onesimus, advocated for him, and sought his full restoration. That’s discipleship. That’s the gospel commitment. And it’s what we’re called to - supporting one another, encouraging one another, loving one another.

Our gospel reading today (Luke 14:25–33) reminds us that following Jesus requires sacrifice. The Christian life is full of joy, peace, and love—but it’s not always easy. It runs against the grain of the world. And Jesus knew that. He knew that to follow him would cost us - but he also knew it would be worth it.

We don’t often talk about the cost of discipleship, probably because it’s uncomfortable. But we must. Because the gospel is too precious to keep to ourselves. In a culture where fewer and fewer people know Jesus, we must find new ways to share the old but still essential, life-changing message. It may be unsettling. It may be costly. But Jesus gave everything for us - because we mattered to him.

Paul understood that. He lived it. And he calls us to do the same.

Finally, we come to forgiveness. Paul pleads with Philemon to forgive Onesimus. And forgiveness is never easy. Especially when the person who wronged us doesn’t seem sorry. But the gospel is a gospel of grace. It calls us to open our hands, not clench our fists. And perhaps Onesimus had forgiving to do as well. Forgiveness is often mutual. It heals both the wronged and the wrongdoer.

There’s a story from Spain of a father and son who had become estranged. The father placed an advert in a Madrid newspaper: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you.” On Saturday, 800 men named Paco showed up—each hoping for forgiveness and love.

People are desperate for grace. Desperate for hope. Desperate for love. And we have that in Jesus. We celebrate a gospel of reconciliation. We are called to live it out.

And Paul, near the end of his letter, writes with confidence: “I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.” He trusted Philemon’s faith. He believed in the power of grace.

So let us be people who are willing to do more than asked, people who will break chains, offer hope, live with gospel commitment, and forgive - again and again. Let us receive and embrace the immeasurable love of God and share it freely. Amen.