May 2, 2010
Background Scripture: Colossians 1
Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Some years ago Valere and I organized a tour of Turkey to trace the footsteps and letters of the Apostle Paul to the people of Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Antioch, Tarsus, Pergamum and Colossae. But the travel company we used told us not to include Colossae. Why?

“Because,” they said, “since the 8th century A.D. there has been virtually nothing there to see! Even today it remains unexcavated.”
 That seemed incredible, for we knew that as late as the fifth century B.C. various literary and political figures called it “a large and prosperous city,” even more prominent than the neighboring sister cities of the Lycus River valley, Laodicea and Hierapolis.
While visiting the area, our bus drove by the site – but there really was nothing to see: The city is nonexistent and the church to which Paul wrote is dead.

There is no indication that Paul ever visited Colossae (Col. 2:1), but he had contacts there through his fellow workers for Christ, Tychicus (4:7) Onesimus (4:9), Philemon (Philem.10,11) and Archippus (Col. 4:17). And, of course, the church at Colossae knew Paul through his letter, a letter which many believe represents the apex of Paul’s presentation of the gospel.

Beyond longevity

So was the church at Colossae a failure? I think not, for it served an important purpose in the time of Paul and touched many, many lives for several centuries. The triumph of the Church of Jesus Christ is not dependent upon the longevity of any particular congregation, denomination or branch of Christianity.

With two other past presidents, I am currently serving as a trustee to “pull the plug” on a  national spiritual organization that almost a decade ago slipped into a coma and has not regained consciousness. Our task is to persuade the state of Pennsylvania to sign its death certificate, while we pay its debts and distribute its assets, if any remain.

While it is a sad task, we know that this organization spiritually touched and changed many lives. It was not a failure, but, like the church at Colossae, it was not to last forever.

When I was a little boy, my best friend was Jerry. His parents always bought him the most attractive and intriguing toys, but usually he was encouraged not to play with them. “Put them away, Jerry,” they told him, “you’ll want to save them.”

For what? I don’t know, but I doubt the “day” for which he was to save them ever came. I have known churches that missed opportunities for serving Christ because they were “saving” their resources for a someday that might never come.

What a reputation

As I write these words, Easter was just two days ago. It occurred to me during our Easter service that the triumph of Jesus and the Kingdom of God was accomplished not by Jesus hanging on to life, but spending it extravagantly on a cross. And, as the spiritual warns, “If you can’t bear the cross, then you can’t wear the crown!”
Writing to this church that knew him only by reputation, Paul praised it because of its reputation for faith in Jesus Christ, as well as love “for all the saints” (1:4,8 – “saint” was a common term for the dedicated followers of Christ comprising the congregations to whom Paul ministered).

Imagine: A congregation recognized and lauded not for its stately edifice, its varied programs and attractive staff, but for its LOVE – a love that is not limited to a chosen few.

We do not know why both Colossae and the Colossian church eventually disappeared, but no church ever fails because it is possessed of too much love.

The Lost History of Christianity (Harper One, 2008) by Penn State professor Philip Jenkins is a remarkable history of churches like the one at Colossae that played a largely forgotten but essential role in the early spread of Christianity in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.