In Philemon1:9-1l, we read: “Yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ--I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.”
“Onesimus?” Timmy tilted his head. “What kind of name is that?”
Grandfather winked at Timmy. “Let’s check him out.”
“‘I have to get away. Then life will be worth the living. No one to boss me around.’
“He stood on the street corner not far from a fruit stand, his stomach rumbling. With no funds he’d make do. He glanced around. Heavy penalties if caught, he thought, but for now, hunger ruled.
“Someone brushed against him. A small boy, white teeth except for a snaggledtooth gap, whispered.
“‘Quick. Come with me.’ The boy grabbed his hand, tugged for him to follow. They zigzagged down one alley, then another. ‘Don’t think anyone followed,’ he said. ‘I want you to meet a friend of mine.’
“‘In prison?’ he said, glancing at the surrounding building. The pleading eyes of the boy softened his voice. ‘Who is this friend of yours?’
“Inside the prison Onesimus stared at the little man. Even though in chains, he stood with hand outstretched in welcome. He knows what it's like to be a slave.
“Onesimus, a runaway slave, learned Someone loved him and that Someone was the God his master loved. His name, Onesimus, or “useful,” was his rightful name.”
“Wow. Amazing,” Timmy said. Grandfather lifted his eyebrow.
“The apostle Paul led him to the Lord Jesus and insisted he make things right--God first, then his master, and fellow man. He didn't send him away empty handed but with a letter that declared him the son of Paul, who paid his debt in full. Well, Paul and the Lord Jesus. From useless to useful.”
“Useful. One special name.” Grandfather smiled.
Kingdom Thinking. I don’t know your name. But I do know names are important. When I became His, the Lord Jesus gave me a new name. He calls me child, daughter, friend, a part of His Bride. He promises to never forsake me and to love me with an everlasting love. He promises you the same. He wants to give you a new name. Won’t you come to Him today?
“Onesimus?” Timmy tilted his head. “What kind of name is that?”
Grandfather winked at Timmy. “Let’s check him out.”
“‘I have to get away. Then life will be worth the living. No one to boss me around.’“He stood on the street corner not far from a fruit stand, his stomach rumbling. With no funds he’d make do. He glanced around. Heavy penalties if caught, he thought, but for now, hunger ruled.
“Someone brushed against him. A small boy, white teeth except for a snaggledtooth gap, whispered.
“‘Quick. Come with me.’ The boy grabbed his hand, tugged for him to follow. They zigzagged down one alley, then another. ‘Don’t think anyone followed,’ he said. ‘I want you to meet a friend of mine.’
“Inside the prison Onesimus stared at the little man. Even though in chains, he stood with hand outstretched in welcome. He knows what it's like to be a slave.
“Onesimus, a runaway slave, learned Someone loved him and that Someone was the God his master loved. His name, Onesimus, or “useful,” was his rightful name.”
“Wow. Amazing,” Timmy said. Grandfather lifted his eyebrow.
“Useful. One special name.” Grandfather smiled.
Kingdom Thinking. I don’t know your name. But I do know names are important. When I became His, the Lord Jesus gave me a new name. He calls me child, daughter, friend, a part of His Bride. He promises to never forsake me and to love me with an everlasting love. He promises you the same. He wants to give you a new name. Won’t you come to Him today?