Jesus and Lawyer Jokes

“Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing” (Titus 3:13).

“Did you hear the one about the lawyer who..?” Everybody knows a lawyer joke. There’s one about Satan complaining to God about people throwing him under the bus even when he had nothing to do with their problems. “People argue, fight, cheat, swindle, yet I get blamed. Isn’t there something You could do?” asked the devil. And so God created lawyers. Okay, that’s nowhere in the Bible (I don’t it’s in there, but we probably ought to check). Lawyers have a terrible reputation. Ambulance chasers. Most folks don’t trust them until they need them. They’re the butt of a million jokes. But Jesus died for them too. Don’t believe me? A friend of Paul and key member of Titus’ team is Zenas the attorney. 

We’re in the final lines of Paul’s letter to his protege Titus. The apostle has left Big T on the island of Crete to appoint leaders (Titus 1:5), shut down false teachers (Titus 1:10-11), and establish a system of educating folks about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). There’s a lot to get done after the Gospel turns a place upside down. But Titus isn’t flying solo. Zenas and Apollos have his back. There’s also a pretty chance that this dynamic duo of discipleship also delivered this letter to the Big T. As this phase of the mission wraps up, reinforcements are on the way. Artemas and Tychicus will be there before you know it (Titus 3:12). At that point, Titus will pack up and hit the road to hang out with Paul in Nicopolis for the winter. But before he does, there’s something very important left to do. “Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing” (v13). Make sure that the Z-man and the A Bomb are locked and loaded for their launch. 

The apostle tells Titus to do his dead level best and give these guys everything they need for their next mission. The phrase “do your best” is the Greek adverb spoudiaos, which is closely related to the verb in the previous verse. It means urgently, as quickly as possible, earnestly. The term emphasizes the urgency of a request. He’s to do everything he can “to speed” them on the next leg of their journey for Jesus. Paul uses the verb propempo, which means to send forward, to move someone in the direction they had already been headed while providing help. The term literally means thrust forward. Give them a boost. Give them a proper launch and liftoff. 

Before they roll out, Titus is to serve them by making sure “that they lack nothing” (v13). They need supplies for their journey. You know what it means to travel. When you have friends getting ready for the road, what do they need? Zenas and Apollos weren’t exactly loading up the minivan for a trip to DisneyWorld. They were hopping aboard a ship to sail to their next mission on the Mediterranean rim. They need food. They need money. They need prayer. They need encouragement. They need to know how God used them in a critical way during their time on Crete. When our friends and family walk out the door, let’s make sure “they lack nothing” (v13). 

So just who are these two dudes? The first is “Zenas the lawyer” (v13). This is the only time he’s mentioned in the New Testament. It’s a Greek name, so chances are the Z-man isn’t Jewish. That helps us understand just what kind of an attorney he is. Come on, be honest. When you first read his job description here, did a shiver go up your spine? A lawyer? A CHRISTIAN lawyer?!? The word “lawyer” (Gr. nomikos) literally means “of the law.” It describes one who is an expert in legal matters. If he is Jewish, this could mean Zenas is somebody who who teaches and interprets the Mosaic law. But as a non-Jew, it’s a pretty good bet he’s a civil attorney. This is a reminder that Jesus invites anybody and everybody to be a part of God’s kingdom. There are plenty of poor and disenfranchised people who’ve placed their faith in Christ. There are working stiffs and middle class folks who follow Jesus. And there are also white collar professionals like Dr. Luke and Zenas the lawyer. Remember, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. God saves lawyers too. And that’s no joke. 

This legal eagle doesn’t fly alone. His traveling partner is none other than the one and only Apollos. He’s a Jewish Christian from Alexandria in Egypt. He first became follower of Jesus after first being a disciple of John the Dunker (Acts 18:24-28). The A Bomb is an outstanding speaker and Bible teacher who “taught accurately the things concerning Jesus” (Acts 18:25). Luke recalls the time Apollos “powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts 18:28). He eventually became somewhat of a celebrity and even had his own cult following in Corinth (1Cor 1:11-12; 3:4). You can imagine that this a pretty formidable pair when teamed up for the cause of Christ.

A couple of thoughts about this seemingly insignificant little verse. We’re to look out for folks who lay it all on the line to tell others about Jesus. Look for ways to give them what they need. Look for ways to give them a boost. Whether that means food, supplies, transportation, money, or whatever the situation, we need to do our best to see that they lack nothing. It’s a great reminder that we don’t serve in a vacuum. We’re part of a bigger team that’s telling the world the Good News. There are no High Plains Drifters for Jesus. There are no lone gunmen. We’re members of the Body of Christ. No one flies solo. And finally, there’s no one beyond Jesus’ ability to save. Not you. Not me. Not even Zenas the lawyer. We can’t out-sin Christ’s saving power. Jesus is a much better Savior than I am a sinner. 

Did you hear the one about Jesus and the lawyer? It’s no joke.