May 31, 2025

FINISH WELL

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.

 Colossians 4:10-18 NLT

---

TODAY’S THOUGHT

At the close of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he lists several names—people who partnered with him in ministry. It’s tempting to skim over these, but the Holy Spirit intentionally included them in Scripture. These names tell stories—stories of faith, failure, restoration, and perseverance. Let’s look at what we can learn from five of them.

1. Aristarchus – The Steadfast Companion

Paul calls Aristarchus his “fellow prisoner” and co-worker (Col. 4:10-11). Aristarchus had stood by Paul through riots in Ephesus (Acts 19), storms at sea (Acts 27), and now imprisonment. He likely chose to share in Paul’s imprisonment voluntarily, providing support in a dark season.

Lesson: True ministry requires people who stay—not just when it’s easy, but when it’s hard. Aristarchus is a reminder of the value of loyal, faithful friends in the gospel.

2. Mark – The Redeemed Failure

This is the same Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark. On Paul’s first missionary journey, Mark abandoned the mission (Acts 13:13). When Barnabas wanted to give him another chance, Paul refused, and the two leaders parted ways (Acts 15:36-40).

Yet later, Paul calls Mark “useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). Somewhere along the way, Mark was restored—and God used him mightily.

Lesson: Past failure does not disqualify future fruitfulness. God can restore and use those who have stumbled.

3. Luke – The Faithful Professional

Luke, the beloved physician, was a Gentile and the only non-Jewish writer of Scripture. He penned the Gospel of Luke and Acts and traveled extensively with Paul.

Despite his professional background, Luke surrendered his skills to God’s service and endured hardship for the sake of the gospel.

Lesson: Whatever your profession, God can use it for His glory. Luke reminds us that faithfulness and calling are not limited to preachers.

4. Epaphras – The Prayer Warrior

Epaphras was from Colossae and likely planted the church there. Paul describes him as someone who “always prays earnestly for you…asking God to make you strong and perfect” (Col. 4:12).

Lesson: Prayer is the engine of the church. Epaphras may not be as famous as others, but his fervent prayer shaped a community for Christ.

5. Demas – The One Who Walked Away

Demas is mentioned without comment here, but later Paul writes, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). Once a co-laborer, Demas abandoned the mission.

Lesson: Not everyone finishes well. Even Paul experienced the pain of watching someone fall away. It’s a sobering reminder that enduring to the end matters.

Final Challenge:

Each of these names tells a story. Who will you be like? Will you be a faithful Aristarchus, a restored Mark, a surrendered Luke, a prayerful Epaphras—or will you drift like Demas?

Let’s choose to be faithful. Let’s finish well.

---

TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to be faithful to Your calling. Strengthen me to stand firm through trials, to return when I fall, and to serve You wholeheartedly all the days of my life. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”