Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philemon 1:23-25 NLT

Here we are at the end of this short letter, and theologian and author Esau McCaulley points out that neither Onesimus, nor Paul on his behalf, apologise for Onesimus seeking his freedom. 

There's no apology for someone getting free from slavery, no apology for someone getting free from an abusive situation. 

This story includes Onesimus's redemptive journey, but the bigger story is the challenge to Philemon, and how he, already a follower of Jesus, will respond to the gospel of grace. How will Philemon allow the love and grace he has received translate into how he sees and responds to Onesimus. 

Philemon has had power over Onesimus and Paul is asking, telling, pleading with him to give it up for the sake of another person, a person who Philomen looked down on, used, who Paul has elevated to a place of honour and equality. 

Paul ends this letter with what may seem to be a "nice" closing phrase, but I read as a final plea to Philemon, and to us, to how we see and treat and love people. 

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Amen

#philemon

#lovepeople