Onesimus' strong thighs pumped rhythmically as he ran a steady pace down the esplanade by the sea. It was a wide mall of fancy bricks and tiles inlaid into the sand. He kept away from the side with the markets and the people, holding to the edge fading into the sand and lapped by the waves.
Another slave had told lies about him, Onesimus feared a beating from his master. He'd once seen their master beat a slave in a great fury when he was still a boy.
He planed to leave this city and follow that short wizen man, Paul, who had preached at his master's house just weeks ago. Word had come that Paul and his fellow preacher, Epaphras, were under house-arrest in Roman, but they were able to receive visitors.
Onesimus told himself, "I'm a quick-witted fella, and I can find my way to the big city. I'll ask around until I find Paul. Why, he told us how he was left for dead after a stoning at Philippi! Paul will let me be his slave."
He reached the end of the wide public esplanade. The brick path was now narrower and had wild brush nearby. When he spotted some grapes and water bubbling from an irrigation pipe, he hid there for a few minutes to refresh himself.
As Onesimus gazed through the hanging grape branches at the sea, his pulse slowed; his mind was still talking. "Paul will tell me I should be a slave to Jesus in gratitude for His death for our sins. That's okay, I don't mind becoming a brave preacher like Paul. I'll ask him to teach me."
Over a number days, Onesimus found his way to Roman. He overheard gossip in the plaza about the Apostle Paul as some argued about his message. He lingered nearby until one of them seemed headed straight for Paul, and he followed.
Paul did not recognize him right away, but explained his poor eyesight. Once h
Paul told him to lie down between him and Epaphras, who was not feeling well. "We'll talk more tomorrow."
They did talk between all the other visits Paul got, and the conversations with his guards. Mostly though, Onesimus found himself as a nurse to Epaphras, who developed a high fever and needed water and a good cleaning when he soiled himself.
They could hardly throw him out if he was doing work the guards hated to do. At the same time, he could listen to all Paul's fascinating conversations.
He learned so much too, when Paul prayed aloud. This he did often for his beloved co-worker, Epaphras.
Onesimus begged to learn to pray like that, and Paul spent time, confirming Onesimus' faith and commitment to the Lord Jesus as his true Master.
When Epaphras regained some health and strength, Onesimus begged to be their slave permanently.
"Didn't you tell Jesus' He was your Master now?"
"With all my heart and strength!"
"To serve Him He wants you to go back to be a faithful slave to your old master Philemon. I will--"
"But he'll beat me!" Then Onesimus hung his head, I know; nothing compares to what He suffered for me."
"Philemon is also a devoted slave of Jesus, and I'll write him a letter to remind him that he and you are now brothers. He should treat you as one."
He lingered the rest of the day, finding it hard to say good bye, but the next morning, he took the scroll Paul entrusted to him, and accepting a small lunch to eat on the way, he began his run back.
About the Author: Ruth Marlene Friesen is a novelist, web designer and friend with more imagination that she can use up! You'll find her touch and words all over Ruthe's Secret Roses, and about half a dozen other sites. Ruth tends to get involved if you become her friend! She takes mentoring seriously.
Ruth Marlene Friesen
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