Sometimes we see stories on the news of a passer-by providing some seemingly miraculous help because they were in the right place at the right time. More often, however, those who we feel help and refresh us and bring benefit to our lives are there very intentionally, because they want to be, because they have worked hard to be.
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
We see Paul being really consistent with what he teaches about those who sin whilst in prominent positions (1 Timothy 5.20), in that he names and rebukes Phygelus and Hermogenes publicly and openly. Rather than be content to just call out others on their turning away, Paul goes on to name and praise Onesiphorus (whose name means “help bringer”) for the intentional refreshment that he gives.
We read that he often refreshed Paul, that he searched for Paul earnestly and found him, and that his service is known among the believing community (you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus).
From the example of Onesiphorus we see that we ought to be people of intentional blessing.
We should be people who intentionally and often refresh others with our presence, our words, and our actions.
We should be people who intentionally search out those that we know need encouragement and blessing.
We should be people whose service is so intentional and frequent that others know about it and can speak of us by saying “Oh that’s _____, what a great servant of the Lord he/she is.”
Today then, pause and take a moment and think;
Who can I intentionally bless? Who can I search out and encourage? Who needs my service today?
May we all be an Onesiphorus today and intentionally bless someone, as the ultimate Help Bringer intentionally cast aside His heavenly glory and location to live, serve, die, and rise among us.
James Travis 