The Bible tells us that “all scripture” builds us up. That said, have you ever run across some scripture that doesn’t seem very edifying? Take the Book of Numbers for example. I have a hard time getting through it. Maybe you do, too. I was recently reading the Book of Romans, that masterful theological work by Paul the Apostle, and I came across a passage that made me ask, “Why is this in the Bible? In what possible way could God have intended for this to edify his people?” Let’s listen to that passage:

I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers. (Romans 16:22)

One summer, in late August, Pam and I went to the beach. Because it was hurricane season, and in particular because Hurricane Irene was pounding the Carolina coast at the time, we were closely watching the news coverage of the hurricane. One report had me laughing out loud. A reporter was standing in front of a small shopping center trying to get us to look at the damaging effects of high winds and rain. Every few moments a silver car full of teenagers repeatedly drove past the camera, waving. In today’s passage, Tertius reminds me of those kids in the silver car. Here’s Paul, concluding one of the most important theological works in the history of the human race, and Tertius shows up, drawing attention to himself like those kids. Why did God see fit to include this in the Scriptures, and what can we learn from it? Let me suggest two things. First, what appeared to be a minor task—dictate Paul’s letter—would endure for the next 2000 years. Tertius had no idea his penmanship would become part of the New Testament. God’s kingdom is full of what seems to be small, insignificant jobs. Maybe it’s taking someone to a doctor’s office, fixing dinner for a neighbor who lost a loved one, or handing out hot coffee at night to workers repairing a broken water line in front of your house. Maybe you feel that what you do for God is not important enough to be noticed? But don’t doubt that Jesus notices. In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says that a small act of kindness—like giving someone a cup of water—will be remembered. Second, Tertius wanted to be identified with the Apostle Paul in that work. But we should remember, in the world and time in which they lived, being associated with Paul wasn’t always a good thing or safe thing to do! Paul was beaten, jailed, stoned, and eventually martyred. Tertius understood that he, too, might receive the same treatment. 

It’s not always popular to stand up for Jesus, is it? In Romans 1:16, Paul declares, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel…” Wow. Tertius, by declaring himself as Paul’s scribe, was living his faith out loud. I can imagine him saying to his friends, “Paul isn’t afraid of being associated with Jesus Christ, and I’m not either!” How about you? How about me? Are we willing to be identified with Jesus, like Tertius?