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Forgotten by the World - Acts 20:4
Forgotten by the World - Acts 20:4
“And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” (Acts 20:4).
We know a very little bit of some of these men. Of course, we have come to know and appreciate Timothy. Trophimus is rather infamous for having been left sick. Below is a list of references that mention some of the men in other scriptures. We simply do not know much about these men of God.
As I read these names and wonder about who they actually were: what did they look like? What kind of personal quirks did they have? Were they funny or was their character more serious? Were they educated? If so, what area of study did they study? Were they timid or forward in character? There is so much about them as people that we do not know.
We do know that they were disciples of Jesus and that they were willing to follow and help Paul in the spreading of the gospel. We rejoice that their names were not only written down in the Bible but in the Lamb’s book of life. Though they have long ago died, they yet live unto God.
Then I reflect on us: you and me. We won’t be remembered much past the day of our death. We may have a marker on our grave (or not), but that will only tell people the name of the one buried there. With time, the marker and the grave will no longer be apparent. All traces of our very existence will disappear before men.
How precious then is the promise that God knows those who are His (2Tim. 2:19). He knows them by name, and they are each individually loved by God. God knows, cares, and loves each of His people. So many people seek to be known by the people of their time only to be forgotten by history. How much better to be known by God for eternity. You will be forgotten by men, but known, remembered, and loved by God. Are you one of His people?
Hugh DeLong
