FELLOWWORKERS OF PAUL
Col. 4:10-11“Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”
JESUS JUSTUS, THE MAN WITH A GREAT NAME
We know very little about this man. He definitely was a Jewish Christian. He was also a comfort to Paul. I don’t think he was named after Jesus our Saviour, but after Joshua, which was a common name among the Jews. Jesus is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew name, Joshua. Since we know so little about this man, I will not go further except to say that he had a great name. Then I will make an application.
Everyone of us who are Christians are called Christians because we are followers of Jesus Christ. We do bear His name. James 2:7 says, “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” James says that we are called after His worthy name. James is criticizing Christians who honor the wealthy and socially prominent people because of advantage (read the context). Someone comes into the services and you know he is wealthy and you begin to give special recognition to him because you know he might be able to help you somewhere down the line. Or, if he joins the church he will be a good giver. The poor man comes in and you make no recognition of him and your follow-up visit does not have the same priority as it does with this other one. James says this is evil. God is no respecter of persons, and you should not be is what James is saying. Now you don’t have to treat them both like dirt. Just treat them alike.
We bear the name of Jesus. Do you know that, Christian? The knowledge of this will keep you clean and godly. I am ashamed when I hear of the leaders of our nation who claim to be Christian and have no convictions about morality. Solomon said in “Proverbs 30:20, “Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.” This is also true of a whoremonger.
I want to ask a question. What kind of a reputation does Jesus have because of us? Are we wearing His name honorably. John says in 1 John 4:17b, “ . . . as he is, so are we in this world.” How involved is Jesus in the things I do? I’m not talking about “is he doing this with me? Or, does He endorse what I am doing?” I am talking about the kingdom He is operating here on this earth right now. He is on earth in the person of the Holy Spirit. Does His kingdom activities include Hollywood? I better not get to naming things. I’ll let you do that so you won’t miss what you do! What I am saying is “what He IS right now is what we ARE in this world right now.” That will change our lives if we will let it.
Jesus Justice was a man with a name. So are we. Are we bearing the name of Jesus with honor. May the Lord give us grace to bear His name AND HAVE A REPUTATION FOR IT.
In Christ
Bro. White
