My dear brother in the Lord Tychicus, we have not met but one day we will at home in Heaven. I want to thank you while I am still on Earth before that meeting. Thank you for carrying the letter from Paul to Ephesus (and Colossians as well). I’m not certain whether Paul meant that you encouraged Believers hearts via the very letters you carried, but I think it was your spiritual gift. Just as Joseph whom they nicknamed Barnabas. When both of you brothers got together it had to have been an encouragement fest! No doubt you encouraged our brother Onesimus while he was still young in the faith. I have a good friend named Paul who is also a great encourager in the faith. He has also been to Rome but long after the Empire fell. He’s not even a rebel.
It was your good friend Paul that you served for the Lord. Thank you for being an example of a servant for Christ our Lord. No doubt while you walked the Asia Minor landscape you rehearsed those words that Paul wrote. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his Might.” “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” The Holy Spirit possibly brought those words back to your mind in order to renew it just as he does to me. I am thankful that I am able to read these portions of scripture.
I wonder if you could have been going back to your home when you traveled to Ephesus. When we first heard about you it was early in the ministry of Paul while he was in Ephesus. It was just after the riot in the marketplace. Demetrius was quite upset that Paul spoke of the Way. Or could you have come to the knowledge of our Lord at Colossae? No matter where your heart was illuminated by the Holy Spirit, I am thankful that it was. The Lord used you greatly while in his service. It was you and Artemas that stood in for Titus when Paul asked for him. It was you and Trophimus, along with a group of other brothers in Christ, who went before Paul to Troas while he celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Knowing that Paul could have been killed just for spreading the gospel meant that you could have as well. The Way was worth dying for yet you lived in the Light.
The last thing I want to thank you for is standing firm in the Lord. Paul himself gives testimony of your devotion to our Lord by calling you a “faithful minister” (Colossians 4:7). You know that Ephesus was a city surrendered to false idols. The church at Colossae was prone to error. This is no doubt the reason Paul asked you to minister at Titus’ church on Crete. The first part of this letter to Titus clearly tells us that those who lead a church must, “be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Even our Lord said, “My teaching (doctrine) is not mine, but his (God the Father) who sent me.” Holding fast to Christian doctrine is important. Even the early church realized that (Acts 2:42). My friend Paul quotes your friend Paul all the time on this topic. Especially since the World has impacted the Church today in an unfortunate way. So many Christian churches are shifting away more rapidly from sound doctrine. We need more of those like you today, Tychicus.
And so, my beloved brother, I thank you for being my brother in the Lord. Faithful. Servant. Encourager.
Grace and peace, James, your brother in Christ
*Picture courtesy of AdobeStock