Colossians 4:11 “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”
The Penguins of Madagascar is a Nickelodeon animated series based off the characters from the movie franchise Madagascar. The cartoons concern a quartet of commando penguins residing in the New York Zoo, and the “adventures” they have there. In an episode titled “Jiggles”, Kowalski (the science/tactical officer), had accidentally created a gelatinous cube of protoplasm that he named Jiggles. Though Kowalski was excited about the discovery, his commanding officer, Skipper, warily disdained it (calling it a “big blob of mad science”), especially as it grew in size and appetite. Becoming increasingly blinded to everything else, Kowalski ultimately turned his back on his friends to protect Jiggles. Of course, Jiggles tried to later eat Kowalski, which led him to realize how he had been misled. After freeing fellow “lunch” victim, the vain lemur King Julian, Kowalski tried to keep it contained in a storage building. Julian hastily wished him “best of luck” before high-tailing it. Kowalski scoffs saying, “I don’t need luck! What I need…are my friends.” “Present and accounted for!” Skipper proclaims behind him, as the rest of the penguins come to his aid in disposing of the monster. Though he had turned his back on them, Kowalski’s friends had not forsaken him.
Paul here is closing his letter by recognizing Jesus Justus (and fellow Christian friends Aristarchus and John Mark in verse 10), who were still with him despite all the tribulation he had been through. They were still helping him in kingdom work for the Lord. As Christians, we need to take time to recognize those around us who stick by us in good times and bad: the faithful wife, the loyal husband, children who are there for you, a best friend or a good neighbor, a pastor who is there for you. There is One other too, Who is always there no matter how many times we stray or turn away; He is always there when we choose to repent and turn back to Him. That one is Jesus.
Something to think about today.
Combing The Word 