As Paul came to
the conclusion of his letter to the Ephesians, he was concerned that they would
be discouraged with what he was going through, so he wanted to encourage them.
To keep them updated about what he was going through, he told them that he was
sending Tychicus to them. He was someone whom the Ephesians knew, and was a
dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord and one of Paul’s closest
associates. In other letters, such as Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus
3:12, the apostle had mentioned him. The next best thing, apart from a personal
visit from Paul, would be the visit of Tychicus, who knew everything that the
apostle had gone through. He would be a good information source for the
Ephesians.
In verses 23-24,
Paul then concluded with his usual benediction. He sent them peace and grace.
This tells us his desire for the believers in Ephesus, was that they will know
and experience peace. This can only come as a result of a mended relationship
with God and with each other. And together with peace, he wished that they
would experience love and faith, of which the source is God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Unlike prayer, a
benediction is a prophetic declaration over the people of God. Some Christians
will leave a service before the benediction and thus miss out the prophetic
declaration the minister would pronounce over worshippers. Here Paul was not
about to allow the Ephesians to miss out on these blessings of God. As God’s
ambassador, he pronounced the grace of God and the undying love of the Lord
Jesus upon them.
The next time we
are in a worship service, don’t be in a hurry to rush off. Stay till the
declaration of the abiding peace, love, faith and grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ is declared over us. We shall be led forth with peace to experience the
rich grace of the Lord. Amen!
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