Being the first (Dan Wells)

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.(Romans 16:5)

Being the first to do something is usually very scary. It’s not surprising that we honour those who are the first to achieve a particular feat: crossing the ocean, flying around the world, walking on the moon. When nobody else has been there before it can be hard to step out and take that first step.

Our next figure in Romans 16 is Epenetus, and we know only one thing about him: that he was the first Christian in the province of Asia.

The province of Asia was a big Roman territory in what is now modern-day Turkey. Roman life was the dominant force in that area and that included worship of the emperor as a god. Its capital was Ephesus which was a city marked by idol worship, belief in magic and superstition and general spiritual darkness. It would have been hard to become a Christian in that place.

What a joy it must have been for Paul to see Epenetus come to faith in Jesus Christ. No wonder he went on to be a ‘dear friend’ to Paul! Not only that, but every person who came after Epenetus would have found it slightly easier now that he had taken the first step. Being second is much easier than being first.

It can be a real gift to others to take the first step and be the first to do something. It could be something as simple as being the first to pray in a group, breaking the ice and helping others feel comfortable praying as well. Or it could be a larger step, hard to take but easier if someone else has been there before.

Is there a way you can take the first step today, and give others the gift of going second? Is God calling you out of your comfort zone in some way, not waiting for someone else to be first, but for you to take that first step and be the first?

Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of Epenetus. Thank you that he was the first to trust in you in a vast and dark place. Enable me to obey when you call me to take the first step and serve others by showing the way. Amen.