A “Rare Bird”
“I have no one else
like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare”, Philippians
November 7, 2004
When I was a government employee, my supervisor called me into his office. He
told me that he had a special job for me.
He wanted me to head up a recruitment team to hire a “Rare Bird.” NASA needed a “Rare Bird” to do work on the
International Space Station. At the time I was clueless of a “Rare Bird.” I
hadn’t ever heard of a person being referred to as a “Rare Bird.” I was working
as a human resources Specialist. I had already done lots of recruiting of new
employees. But I had never heard recruited a “Rare Bird.” So I asked my
supervisor to explain this to me.
Here is what he told me. A “Rare Bird” for NASA is a scientist that has outstanding knowledge in an area of science. This person’s knowledge in his field of expertise far exceeds the knowledge of others in the same field. This person cannot be found through the normal recruiting process.
To get the word out of this need the organization gave me a sizable budget to pay to advertise in scientific journals, newspapers that had wide and respected circulation, and other publications. It took a long time to find this “Rare Bird.”
“Rare bird” seems to fit the Apostle Paul’s description of Timothy. Listen to his description of Timothy: “I have no one else like him…” These seven words say volumes about how Paul feels about Timothy. I want us to think deeply and reflectively this morning of the things Paul highlights about Timothy. I strongly believe the things he highlights about Timothy should be things we want for ourselves.
First, Paul says, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.” Paul grounds everything he does in the Lord. Here he plans to send Timothy to Philippi. But he plans to do it “In the Lord Jesus.” He expects everything to happen as a result of being “In the Lord.” It’s a wonderful thing to live one’s life with “Hope in the Lord Jesus.” Despite all of the conveniences that we have, I believe it still makes good sense for us to plan and hope “in the Lord Jesus.” I say this to you because it seems awkward and out of touch with the times to say, I” I hope to do such and such in the Lord Jesus.”
Paul expects a lot from sending Timothy to the church at Philippi. He expects to be encouraged from the news Timothy will bring back from his visit with the members. Undoubtedly, Paul wants to hear that the church is continuing to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. To know Paul is to know he wants more than anything that Christ is preached, that Christ is honored, and that Christ is trusted for salvation. But Paul seems to also want to the members at the church at Philippi to be encouraged, motivated, and cheered on by the report that Timothy will give to the members upon his arrival and his presentation to the church family. The members would be happy to hear that Paul is doing fine even though he is imprisoned. They will be delighted to hear that he continues to witness for Jesus Christ while in confinement. They will be happy to hear that he is so concerned about their welfare.
Second, “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Now, Paul was blessed to have lots of people involved in his ministry.” What separates Timothy from the others involved in ministry is his altruistic conduct. In Paul’s mind and heart Timothy is selfless. He is committed fully to the work of the ministry. Paul makes this point by contrasting Timothy’s behavior with the behavior of others. Timothy’s heart is in what he is doing for Christ; the others seem to have two maters; Timothy can be counted on to put the interest of Christ above all else; the others seem to put their interests ahead of Christ; Timothy seems to be a die heart for the cause of Christ; the others seem to be Christ late. Timothy is a “Rare Bird” for Christ; the others seem to be just birds for Christ.
These words, “I have no one else like him” remind me of others like Timothy. I think of Stephen, one of the deacons in the early church who stood to the end for Christ and facing death from a mob stoning him prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And in our times I think of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When he met death face to face he was walking hand and hand with the sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. I think of Mother Teresa who spent her life with the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India. These were indeed “Rare Birds” for the cause of Christ.
Third, Paul says, “But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Paul identified Timothy as his son in the gospel. Now, Paul has said lots of wonderful things about Timothy. He is one of a kind; he has confidence in him; he has proven himself; now he adds that he has served with him in the work of gospel. What a reputation! Paul could have talked about Timothy’s sincere faith as he did in his 2 Timothy. There Paul said, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:5-6). He didn’t talk about that here even though he speaking about Timothy’s reputation. Instead Paul talks about his serving in the work of the gospel. He did some work for the Lord. He assisted Paul in founding the church at Phillip. He traveled to Philippi a number of times to strengthen the church.
Let’s aim high to be the very best for the Lord. Let us strive to be known as rare birds for Christ. To make Christ first in our lives; to take a genuine interest in the welfare of others; to serve in the work of the gospel; that is what it means to be a rare bird for God. This life is within the reach of each of us in our age. It’s God who determines the people that fit this description: “I have no one else like him or her,” in every generation. You can be that Christian for your generation. Amen.