“I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus… for they refreshed my spirit.” (1Cor.16:17-18). Jesus, the Good Shepherd… “restores, refreshes, renews my soul” (Psalm 23:3)
Lord Jesus, “Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus”—3 of many names we “skim through” to get to the “important” parts of chapter or verse in the Bible. But in the economy of grace, these men were in the Hall of Fame of friendship—the “crème de la crème,” the summum bonum of friends. The Apostle Paul said of them, “I am always glad to see these brothers come through the door, for they bring refreshment to my spirit. They have the “it,” body-language, and heart for giving me refreshment when I need it the most.”
Jesus, thank you for our version of refreshing brothers and sisters like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus—and Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, and Junia (Rom.16). They bring no pressure, just your non-anxious presence. They’re the kinds of friends whose names we love to see come up on a text or call. They’re more likely to ask, “How can I help you?”, than “Aren’t you over that yet?” We can laugh, weep, repent, and play with them—trust them with our biggest fears and hardest struggles.
But Jesus, we don’t just treasure those kinds of friends, we want to be that friend to others as well. Work in us and love through us—for you are the headwater, river, and fountain of refreshment. You are the friend who sticks closer than a brother and loves deeper than we realize. You are near and dear to the brokenhearted, weary, and heavily burdened. Thank. You. Jesus. Be all of that to us and through us, this very day. So Very Amen.