Romans 16:7 (NLT)

“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.”

Paul highlighted the names of two of his country men who labored with him, and these are Andronicus and Junia. It’s strange that we don’t hear much about these brethren, yet because of who they were and what they meant to Paul, he mentioned them specially. From his description of them, three things stand out. Firstly, they “were in prison” with Paul. So these were not people sitting in the cushions of comfortable ministry. They served and got into big trouble for it. Secondly, they were “highly respected among the apostles.” They were not ordinary people without responsibility and clout. They were well known and respected as apostles in their own right. Thirdly, they were “followers of Christ” before Paul was. They were not babes in Christ. They had years and experience on their side.

And yet, despite all these credentials, they were content to simply serve alongside with Paul, not promoting their names or their positions. They were older than Paul in the faith and yet they were willing to serve under his leadership. They were highly respected apostles and yet they didn’t mind Paul being the one known and talked about by everyone. True servants don’t draw attention to themselves and do not seek for platforms of prominence. For the true servant, what counts is that the name of the Lord is glorified and that they play their designated roles in God’s bigger plans. May we be like Andronicus and Junia. May we seek only the welfare of the ministry, and may we be willing to serve under other leaders, even if we feel we have a reason to also be leaders like them.

“May I be like these brethren Lord. May I not look at any issue of title and position, but just to serve and play my part in Your grand scheme of things. By Your grace Lord, I will follow anyone You appoint to lead, and I determine never to let my personal experience or respectability get in the way. In Jesus name. Amen.”