Onesimus

The book of Philemon in the Bible is a letter Paul wrote to Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus, of whom Paul met in Rome. He gave the letter to Onesimus and told him to go back to Philemon.

I wrote a story from Onesimus' point of view. I took as much as possible from the bible, but because the Bible never says what happened after the letter was delivered, it has a lot of "Kennedy-flair."  

Onesimus' Journey

I awoke the day of my departure from Rome, where I had sought refuge after running from my master Philemon. Paul, a good friend and mentor, whom I met here in Rome, shared the gospel with me and urged me to go back to Philemon. He had written a note that he wanted me to take to him. Today I embark on my journey back. I am scared at what lies ahead for me, for escaping from your master is a crime and punishable by imprisonment or death. Philemon will certainly report me and send me to prison. But, I must do what is right. So, snatching up my letter and sack I leave. I stopped by the city well to quench my thirst and splash the cool water on my face. I look around and my flesh screams from inside me telling me that I should be free and I really shouldn’t go back to Philemon. It taunts me constantly of what is at the end of my journey. Slavery…the complete opposite of freedom. I don’t belong to any man! I’m my own man! It screams so much it hurts. I don’t want to live the rest of my life doing another man’s bidding. I say a prayer to God asking him to please help me go through with it and to give me peace. I ask the Lord that if he’s willing that Philemon would have grace and mercy upon me. I couldn’t do this without the Lord’s help. The Lord calms my spirit. Walking away from the well, I continue down the road.
Arriving at my destination, some days later, my stomach does flip flops. I can look down from the hill on which I stand and I can see Philemon's prosperous land. I look down and I can see my fellow workmen tending the south garden and the lady of the house Apphia resting in the grove and for a moment I feel like running again. My selfishness screams at me again. I could run and it wouldn’t change anything. “No,” I yell to myself. This is what the Lord wants and I live to serve Him. He is my ultimate master. Though I will go and serve my earthly master, Philemon. I am free in Jesus! He is my one and true master and that will never change. I pray and the courage of the Lord swells inside of me as I walk down to hill towards Philemon. I have changed since I left Philemon's place. Paul shared a lot with me and I am so grateful to him. I now know the Lord as my precious savior and he has changed my heart so much. Nearing he house, some fellow workmen smile and nod to greet me, some look at me with worried eyes as they wonder what may happen to me, some just stare in disbelief. “Here I go,” I tell myself. Without the Lord, I wouldn’t have the courage to do this. I walk in….

It’s evening and I lie here in my quarters. Philemon greeted me with gladness. Although he was glad I’d returned, he was upset and scolded me of my wrongdoing. Taking the note from Paul, he told me to go to my quarters so that he might read the letter. While being her I have already shared the gospel with a few slaves that share my quarters. They asked many questions that I myself had trouble answering. I do believe that the Lord will melt their hearts.

Philemon read the letter and took Paul’s words to heart. He decided that if he was to have slaves, that he must treat them well and value them. He said that some slaves could go. I, Onesimus, was one of them.

 

K.K.M.D
Romans 15:13