In Rome
301
attended him on the journey to Jerusalem, through the two years’
imprisonment at Caesarea, and upon his perilous voyage to Rome,
was with him still. Timothy also ministered to his comfort. Tychicus,
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“a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the
Lord,” stood nobly by the apostle. Demas and Mark were also with
him. Aristarchus and Epaphras were his “fellow prisoners.”
Colossians
4:7-14
.
Since the earlier years of his profession of faith, Mark’s Christian
experience had deepened. As he had studied more closely the life
and death of Christ he had obtained clearer views of the Saviour’s
mission, its toils and conflicts. Reading in the scars in Christ’s hands
and feet the marks of His service for humanity, and the length to which
self-abnegation leads to save the lost and perishing, Mark had become
willing to follow the Master in the path of self-sacrifice. Now, sharing
the lot of Paul the prisoner, he understood better than ever before that
it is infinite gain to win Christ, infinite loss to win the world and lose
the soul for whose redemption the blood of Christ was shed. In the
face of severe trial and adversity, Mark continued steadfast, a wise and
beloved helper of the apostle.
Demas, steadfast for a time, afterward forsook the cause of Christ.
In referring to this, Paul wrote, “Demas hath forsaken me, having
loved this present world.”
2 Timothy 4:10
. For worldly gain, Demas
bartered every high and noble consideration. How shortsighted the
exchange! Possessing only worldly wealth or honor, Demas was poor
indeed, however much he might proudly call his own; while Mark,
choosing to suffer for Christ’s sake, possessed eternal riches, being
accounted in heaven an heir of God and a joint heir with His Son.
[456]
Among those who gave their hearts to God through the labors of
Paul in Rome was Onesimus, a pagan slave who had wronged his
master, Philemon, a Christian believer in Colosse, and had escaped to
Rome. In the kindness of his heart, Paul sought to relieve the poverty
and distress of the wretched fugitive and then endeavored to shed the
light of truth into his darkened mind. Onesimus listened to the words
of life, confessed his sins, and was converted to the faith of Christ.
Onesimus endeared himself to Paul by his piety and sincerity,
no less than by his tender care for the apostle’s comfort, and his
zeal in promoting the work of the gospel. Paul saw in him traits of
character that would render him a useful helper in missionary labor,