Sunday's Mother's Day study focused on Paul's description of Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2 as a saint, sister, servant, and helper. Though each of these are important, sister is the one that caught my attention, especially because of all the fascination with Venus, the pagan Roman goddess, in Phoebe's hometown of Cenchrea.
The pagan Roman goddess, Venus, was known for her beauty and physical charms. Most of the stories about her involve her using those gifts for some immoral purpose. In other words, the people of Cenchrea celebrated Venus and the way she related to people through her beauty and physical charms. By contrast, Paul's description of Phoebe as a sister tells us that Phoebe related to people through Jesus and her faith in Him.
Whenever someone is properly related to Jesus through faith, Jesus becomes the mediator of that person's human relationships. In other words, all other relationships get defined through Him. If others around you are believers, through Jesus you become a sister or brother to them. If others around you are unbelievers, through Jesus you are a witness to them. Sister, brother, or witness--these terms involve intentionally looking at others primarily in terms of who they are in relation to Jesus, rather than in relation to our physical bodies, our selfish selves, or the Venus values of the world.
As you think of Phoebe this week, ask yourself this question: Which of my relationships would change, and how, if I were to begin defining all of my relationships through Jesus?
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