The Ministry of Refreshment: Learning From Onesiphorus

The Ministry of Refreshment: Learning From Onesiphorus.

My dear brethren, today we are going to reflect on "The Ministry of Refreshment”, drawing from 2 Timothy 1:16 -18, which reads:

“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 

But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 

The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well”.

As followers of Christ, we are called not only to seek our own welfare, but to be a source of refreshment and care for those around us who may be in need.

When Apostle Paul was in prison in Rome, facing persecutions for the sake of the gospel, he was sustained, strengthened and encouraged by the faithful ministry of a dear friend - Onesiphorus. 

We read in 2 Timothy 1:16-17 that: 

"The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me."

What a beautiful picture of love and care! 

While many had abandoned Paul in his time of need, Onesiphorus boldly sought for him, refusing to be ashamed of his circumstances. 

Onesiphorus invested his time, his resources, and his very presence to minister to Paul. 

Paul was deeply grateful for this "ministry of refreshment" - this tangible expression of the love of Christ in a dark and difficult season.

My brethren, may we aspire to be like Onesiphorus - men and women who are willing to visit our brothers and sisters who may be in one form of trouble or another. 

May we be ready to identify with them in their struggles without being ashamed.

It may come at a cost. It may require us to step out of our comfort zones. 

But,......there is eternal rewards for those who faithfully refresh others, through "the ministry of refreshment"! 

Paul declares, 

"The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day."

Therefore brethren, let us not grow weary in well-doing. 

Let us be attentive to the needs of those around us, and let us boldly step forward to minister to them despite the shame. 

In doing so, we will not only bless others, but we will find ourselves refreshed in the same way later on in our lives.

The “ministry of refreshment” never fails to reward back.

We see this very well in Proverbs 11:25, 

“The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”

May the Lord raise up an army of Onesiphoruses in our days. - men and women who will seek out people going through challenges and trials, and refresh them with the love of Christ. 

May you and me be an “Onesiphorus” in our generation. 

May the “ministry of refreshment”, be revived in all our homes, our churches and our communities.

May you get an “Onesiphorus”, who will search for you diligently and refresh you in your moments of need.

Remain Ever Refreshed. 

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)