Phoebe
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also (Romans 16:1-2).
As a young Christian, I always appreciated how older Christians took a genuine interest in your spiritual progress and general well-being. I especially valued the influence of spiritual women. Their advice and wisdom were so helpful. I did not always grasp their sound words at the time, but as I reflected on them, they proved to be so trustworthy and helpful. There was one older single sister who lived by herself, who I used to visit. She was in her sixties then, and lived to be 107! She lived in an old terraced house in a backstreet. One day I was on my way home from work, and passing the street where she lived. I was in a bit of a rush, so I didn’t intend to see her. But something caused me to turn back and go to her house. As I went to knock at her door, I saw her keys were still in the lock. So I was glad my visit had a purpose. She invited me in and made tea as usual. It was around the time I was about to get married. I cannot remember how the subject came up, but in the course of the conversation, she said to me, “Gordon, you are not a handsome man, but you are not bad- looking!” This comment summed up the wonderful forthrightness of such dear sisters, who could get straight to the point and help you come to terms with your limitations!! Happily, most of her advice was spiritual and concerned things I could change.
Phoebe is an example of a spiritual woman devoted to the service of Christ in a local setting. In John 13, on the Passover evening before being betrayed, the Lord taught His disciples an important lesson. It was an occasion when He wanted to teach them several vital spiritual lessons. But they were arguing amongst themselves about who should be the greatest. The Lord does not intervene to challenge them that they had not learned humility after three years in His presence. No, He simply got up from the table, laid aside His outer garments, took a towel, poured water and, like the lowliest servant in the house, washed the disciples’ feet. It is the greatest privilege to be a servant of the Lord’s people. It is a reflection of Christ Himself. Phoebe was a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Paul honours her service and reminds his fellow Christians to give her the respect and support she needed. Then he adds, “for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also”. Gratitude should always characterise us as God’s people.
Over the weekend, a dear sister was called to glory. Like Phoebe, she had devoted herself to serving the Lord, opening her home to share the joy of her faith through hospitality and spiritual care for others, especially young people. She was a sister in whose company you were cheered and encouraged. We can raise our hearts in thankfulness to the Lord for giving us such a friend who not only served but reflected the Saviour: “Whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrew 13:7-8). And we can rejoice, too, in the Lord’s reception of such to glory, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
