Observation: Paul closes his letter to the Romans with a significant number of greetings. Many are just names, but these seem certainly significant. Priscilla and Aquila are a prominent couple who Paul first met in Corinth. In many ways they instructed Paul, or at least collaborated with him as he refined his gospel messages, and are often viewed as spiritual parents to Paul. Now, here they are in Rome .. they seem to be living there now, as verse 5 says to also greet the church meeting in their home.
The best-known Rufus in the bible is the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man pressed into service to help Jesus carry the cross. After that spectacle, it is church history that his sons became believers and Rufus appears in the history of the church. Jesus greets him and his mother ... but one other person, too. The verse says to greet Rufus, his mother ... and mine.
Paul is a Jew, yet he is going to Rome because he appealed on the authority of his natural-born Roman citizen to Caesar for justice. In Rome, it appears Paul is sending greetings to - and will visit - his own mother.
Paul isn't young, but he isn't necessarily old either. He is called a young man when first converted to faith. Upon conversion, his missionary travels begin ~15 years later, and last perhaps ~20 years. If this places Paul in a 55-ish age at this moment, which is about right since they believe he died at age ~61. It is therefore very possible that his mother - while old for the time - is still alive, and living is Rome as she is likely a Roman citizen having passed that birthright on to her son.
Another interpretation is that Rufus' mother has also been a mother to him. Which remains interesting, that he would be stating that the woman who has cared for him is now in Rome.
Application: There is so much one could speculate about this. Is this Paul's mother, or a mom-like figure in his life? Does he long to see her? Or is there tension since she's just the (...counting...) 19th person he greets, and not even by name?
The truth is, the circumstances of the relationship don't matter. Paul is a man with a mission, and the Lord will allow the mission and his "mother" to intersect. This seems to be evidence of how wonderful the family of Christ really is ... that a man whose first connection to faith came by witnessing the crucifixion is now either caring for the mother of the most active apostle to the gentiles, or his mom has become like a mom to Paul. Some of Paul's best friends are in this same church family. This is all true despite the fact he himself has never been there.
Paul is going to Rome. He is off to visit family ... brothers, sisters, and perhaps multiple sets of parents, perhaps literal and definitely spiritual. Jesus provides this family to everyone when they commit their faithful lives to the church, and certainly this will be a great blessing during one of the hardest times in Paul's life.
We need this blessing now! I need it. It is time for the church to re-assemble. Streaming video is great for outreach, but not for a bonding, loving family. Jesus told us to go on meeting together, and we need to be together again.
Prayer: Lord, I want my church back. I know I am bad with names, and I struggle with loving others, but I want to improve in these areas, and I want to do it within my family of faith. I ask that you call your sheep back into your presence, into community together, so we may love one another anew. Amen.
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