²⁵ Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; ²⁶ since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. (NKJV)

Sorrow Upon Sorrow

Our scripture reading today includes an excerpt from Paul’s letter to the Church at Phillipi. In verse 25, the Apostle lauds Epaphroditus as, “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need.”  He continues by citing the longing

Epaphroditus had for his home church in Phillipi and that they had heard he was sick. “For indeed he was sick” wrote Paul, “almost unto death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” (v. 27)

With death having been so eminent for such a co-worker, fellow soldier, and messenger, Paul grieved that he himself would have had sorrow upon sorrow. But now he realizes Isaiah’s prophecy of a man— “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3)” —being crucified, despised, and rejected by men. But as Paul had already written earlier to the Corinthians, “Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”  (II Corinthians 15:54, Isaiah 25:8, Revelation 20:14).

Phillip Bliss, one of my favorite songwriters, penned these words that are often sung during the season of Lent:

“Man of Sorrows”—what a name

 For the Son of God who came

   Ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, 

In my place condemned He stood—

Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we; 

Spotless Lamb of God was He.

“Full atonement”—can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die; 

“It is finished,” was His cry.

Now in heav’n exalted high—Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King, 

All His ransomed home to bring,

Then anew this song we’ll sing—Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Author: Garth Hyde

Other Lenten readings for today:

• Psalm 126
• Isaiah 43:8-15