Before we say farewell to Philemon

Over the past six weeks we've been asked to assume the role of Philemon and think about "What will we do with the Onesimus in our own lives?" That has been challenging and insightful for me, but before we move on to the next lesson, I'd like to propose that you ponder this story through the eyes of Onesimus. I've asked myself the questions below and encourage you to do the same. Post your answers below. I'd like to hear what you are thinking.

There are many details of the story that are unclear or lost, and there are some other things, I think, that are worthy of consideration and offer topics for reflection:

• How does Paul find out about Onesimus stealing from and then escaping from Philemon? Did Philemon tell Paul or did Onesimus seek out Paul to tell him what he did?



• Does Onesimus ask Paul to intercede for him or does Paul take the lead in brokering the forgiveness? Did Onesimus even want to go back to Philemon? I'm sure that Onesimus, being a slave, did not know how to write, but it's interesting to me that no where in Paul's letter does he say anything about Onesimus' remorse or even that he wants to be forgiven?



• For a slave, stealing and escaping was a very serious offense. I'm thinking Onesimus was VERY scared of not being forgiven. How many times have we done something wrong and felt the person we wronged would never forgive us? How many times did we avoid asking forgiveness for that very reason?

• If Onesimus didn't return to Philemon, where did he go? What master would take a slave with that kind of record? Or would they? Onesimus became a bishop, so somebody, somewhere gave him a second chance.

• Let's imagine that it was Onesimus who sought Paul to be his intercessor and that in fact he, first, wanted to return and then did return to Philemon. Even with the clever and very logical letter Paul wrote (remember Paul tells Philemon that he's told their mutual friends about this incident and that he'd be paying him a visit soon to check up on the relationship), how do you think Onesimus felt making his way back to his master's home? By law, Philemon had every right to kill him. Onesimus' heart must have pounding through his skin as he knocked on Philemon's door!
  

The "takeaway" of the lesson for me is this:

Yes, we have to be ready to forgive others, even when they hurt us deeply, but it is also, and maybe equally important, to have the courage to seek forgiveness.