The Story of Onesimus II. Stirrings in Ephesus

One warm bright morning Philemon shook Onesimus awake. Get up, he ordered, “I need you to come to Ephesus with me today.”

Onesimus jumped up, wide awake now. Ephesus? He had heard about this city but had never been there. 

“I have some business to conduct there,” Onesimus’ master was saying, “and I need your company to help me carry some things.” 

Onesimus was young and string so this prospect did not concern him too much. He also knew his master did not as a rule ask him to do more than he knew he was capable of. What Onesimus did not know was that he was facing at least a four-day journey. 

The master’s wife brought out some food for Onesimus to eat. He quickly splashed some water over his face from the basin kept for washing and then ate his breakfast. Meanwhile, Aphia and Philemon were filling some bags with food and skins with water. 

It seemed Onesimus’ masters had already eaten for, as soon as he was done, Philemon motioned for him to come and then helped him fasten the bags of food and water around his neck and shoulders. Philemon also carried some provisions, although not as much as his slave. Philemon also took a solid walking stick from near the door and also gave one to Onesimus. 

“We might need these before our trip is over,” he said.” When Philemon sensed all was in order, he bade his wife farewell and they set out. 

When they reached the large temple at the centre of the city Philemon indicated they needed to stop. “Stay here and keep watch,” he said, “I will go and ask the gods to give us a safe trip.”

Onesimus watched as his master haggled with one of the hawkers of incense and such near the steps up to the temple. When he judged he had made a satisfactory deal, Philemon took some incense and some fruit and went to offer it at the altar in the temple. Soon he was back on the street and the pair continued on.

There was little spoken between the two as they hurried on, as was usual between slave and master. After they had left the city, Philemon did turn back to Onesimus and observe, “There might be robbers along the road so we need to keep a sharp eye out.” Tapping the ground with his walking stick, he added, “That’s where these might come in handy.”

When they came to the next town, Laodicea, they noticed a caravan of camels and donkeys loaded down, with their drivers. As they drew nearer, it was apparent the cavalcade was stopped near the town well to give their animals a break and some water.  Some of the men among the entourage were obviously the owners of the animals, others appeared to be traders. Onesimus noticed that some of the men seemed to have swords in the folds of their robes.

“Wait here a moment,” Philemon said, and moved forward to talk to these men. 

When he returned, Philemon said, “We are in luck. Thanks be to the gods. These men said we could travel with them. It will be safer.” It might have been safer but it did slow them down too, as the caravan had to stop for water and food for its animals more often than Philemon and Onesimus would have needed to stop.

Eventually though, they did reach Ephesus.  The cities of Laodicea and especially Hierapolis, near Colossae, had fascinated Onesimus whenever he had a chance to go there. However, he was not prepared for what he now saw.  In the first place, it took hours just to wend their way through the narrow streets to their destination. At times Onesimus could see massive temples with tall statues of their gods before them.  At one point he saw a huge, high curving wall with arched porticos around its circumference. “That,” pointed out Philemon, “is the amphitheatere where great sporting and political events are held.” Onesimus had never seen anything like all this. 

Philemon stopped some passersby and got instructions to a nearby inn. It was one recommended by the caravaneers, whom they had now parted company with. 

Philemon and Onesimus were both glad to get some water to wash their faces, hands and feet before digging into the repast the innkeeper provided. They were still at table with some other guests when in walked a sturdy, handsome young man Onesimus thought looked vaguely familiar. Philemon obviously knew more.

“Epaphras!” Philemon exclaimed as he jumped to his feet and moved to greet the newcomer. “I haven’t seen you in a long time. Look at what a handsome young man you’ve become. What brings you here, if I may ask?”

“You may,” responded the guest, “I am actually working here, but maybe not for long.”

“Oh,” Philemon queried, his eyebrows raised. “Job not working out?”

“It’s not that,” Epaphras said as he moved in at the table next to Philemon. He reached in and took a piece of bread and scooped up some lentil broth from the centre.

“Mmm, not bad for an inn.” Turning to the owner who was busy in the background, Epaphras called out, “My compliments to the cook!”

“I’ll tell her,” the owner replied.

Epaphras sat up somewhat to be nearer Philemon. “I am probably going back to Colossae on a mission.”

“Mission?” asked Philemon. “You work for the government?”

“No, not that kind of mission. You see, while here, I have come to know a Jew from Palestine. He is a very intelligent and educated man but you would never know it from his behaviour. I have never met such a real man. He seems so genuine.”

“How so,” Philemon broke in.

“Well,” continued Epaphras, “he teaches about some real changes that seem to have taken place in the Jewish religion. At least the way he understands and talks about it.”

“Religion?” Philemon smiled, “Do I want to hear more?”

“That’s just the thing,” Epaphras said, and you could hear the earnest tone in his voice. “It’s not like he’s talking about a religion. He talks about a Jewish rabbi who was crucified by the Romans because the Jewish leaders thought he was causing trouble. They said he was breaking some of their sacred laws and deserved to die.”

“Ah, yes,” Philemon muse, “the Jews are very strict about their religious laws and practices, that much I know. But to kill someone?”  

“Well, apparently they did. But, and here’s where it gets really different – he came alive again and continued teaching his followers for forty days, and then disappeared.  His followers say he was God come to earth and that he then returned to heaven.”

“Now, I’ve heard everything,” Philemon said, leaning back on his elbow and taking another bit of bread and broth. “Well, Onesimus here and I are tired. We’ve just traveled from Colossae. But you know how that goes. Maybe we can talk more another time. We’re turning in. Good night Epaphras.”