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Here is a gem of a letter that is often overlook by Christians Occasion of writing Philemon was a slave owner. Slavery was very common throughout the Roman Empire. Onesimus (meaning useful) one of Philemon slave has run away from his master and travelled all the way to Rome to seek out for Paul who then led him to the LORD. A strong bond of friendship had developed between Paul and Onesimus his son in the LORD. Paul now calls him “my own heart “. Paul reluctantly send Onesimus back to Philemon but with this powerful letter of appeal. To understand the message of this letter, you will need to understand the law at the time regarding a runaway slave. Under Roman law, if a slave run away and is caught his owner could have him scourged and crucified to death or be thrown to the wild beast. A runaway slave had nowhere of finding refuge except only in this one instance. That the only reason the slave had run away was, so that he could appeal for advocacy before Paul who is both a friend and partner of his master. A slave who had thus fled to such an intercessor and had asked him to appeal to his master on his behalf would not incur the death penalty of an ordinary escapade. But that slave would be freed as a faithful slave and sometimes would even be adopted into the owner’s family. With this in mind we can better understand why Onesimus had run away from his master. It was to seek out for Paul and to request for a plea from his master’s friend and partner to be freed from being a slave and even to be adopted into Philemon’s family. Onesimus was a wise servant. One who at the risk of his own life was willing to go all the way to Rome to find refuge and mercy at the hand of Paul? A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brothers. (Proverbs 17:2) Activating the priestly ministry of Jesus Philemon was a slave owner. He had many many slaves but only one was willing to risk all to go searching out for Paul. And when he did found Paul, Onesimus spend long hours sitting at the feet of Paul ministering to him. So much that a close bond of friendship had developed between them, Paul refers to him as “my own heart “. Jesus is there to appear in the presence of God for us. He is the mediator of the new covenant. Are we willing to be like Onesimus? are we willing to forsake all to seek him out, that we may Know him? If you will activate His ministry, this is what Jesus will do for you: He will pray for you to the Father. Father, if you count me a friend and a partner receive him as myself. If he has wronged thee put it to my account. Father, look at my nail pierced hand and feet, shall it all go for naught? Father receive him my own heart. Release the blessings of the new covenant upon him: wholeness protection prosperity healing. Having this confidence that you will do more than I ask.