“The Jews plotted against him when he was about to set sail for Syria, and so he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread. In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days. alive and were greatly comforted.”
Acts 20:3b-6

–

MAY 9, 2025

Human relationships are hard. They are hard with people we love, hard with people who are similar to us, and they are hard with people who are the opposite of us.

But relationships are essential, necessary, and healing—and they can be life giving. Still, they are always hard. Real relationships are messy and unpolished. We are all made in the image of God, but we can’t seem to wash off the gloopy stickiness of our brokenness and keep it from getting on others.

I am an introvert; I confess that as much as I love people, I also sometimes want to move deep into the woods and never see another human again. Social engagement drains my energy even though it is good and beautiful and enjoyable. The more I’m around others, the harder it is for me to hide my mess. And some people know me well and have seen me at my worst. I don’t like that.

But when we are in real community, it becomes more and more impossible to hide. In fact, this is the entire purpose and gift of community.

In our passage this week, I’m thinking about Paul and the relationships between the people traveling with him. Sopater, a Greek Jew from the town of Berea; Aristarchus, who was imprisoned with Paul and a fellow worker; Secundus, a Greek from the town of Thessalonica; Gaius, who was baptized by Paul (the third letter of John was written to him and he was loved among the apostles for his hospitality towards traveling Christians);Timothy and Tychicus, faithful brothers and ministers; Trophimus the Ephesian.

I can imagine these men working hard to grow together in discipleship, even as they dealt with personality differences, culture clashes, pet peeves, old grudges, prejudices, and misunderstandings. Relationships take mutual work and effort, and they are the place where we put our faith into action and live out what we believe.

The bickering and resentments that no-doubt grew among them in close-quarters aren’t recorded in this book—nor the opportunity for grace, mercy, and forgiveness that comes hand in hand with conflict and difficulty. But God was and is at work, forging a new family out of strangers, enemies, and people who are nothing like us.

This discipleship is hard! Very hard. But it is so very, very good.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Are you closer with your biological family or with your Church family? How are they similar and different?
  • How can you grow into your eternal family? How can you forge family ties with people you are not related to, don’t have things in common with, and possibly don’t even like?

Church Reading Plan:

  • Today, May 9: Numbers 17-18; Psalm 55
  • Saturday, May 10: Numbers 19; Psalm 56-57
  • Sunday, May 11: Numbers 20; Psalm 58-59