2 Timothy 4:9-10, "Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Damatia."

Interesting points:
1. In these verses, Paul urgently requests Timothy to visit him before his death as many of his supporters had deserted him or left to fulfill their God-given purpose away from Rome. Besides some items that Paul will request in later verses, Paul longed to see his beloved brothers in Christ for one final farewell.

2. At the time of this letter, it was dangerous to be a Christian in Rome: few were willing to proclaim their faith or even be associated with a well-recognized believer like Paul. Verse 10 tells us of three very different men who had left Paul’s side. The first, Demas, had served as part of Paul's ministry team during Paul's house arrest in Rome between 60 to 62 AD as recorded in Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24. But Demas “loved this world” more than his work in spreading the Gospel, choosing to leave Paul and the other believers for Thessalonica.

3. In all his letters, this is the only passage where Paul mentions Crescens: little is known about him except he was a believer who served Paul at some point during Paul's second imprisonment in Rome before leaving for Galatia for unknown reasons. Crescens undoubtedly heard the words of the letter Paul wrote to the Galatians although he was not likely a church leader there as he is not mentioned in that letter by name.

4. The third, Titus, had left for Dalmatia and is most likely the Christian leader Paul addressed in Paul's letter bearing his name. Titus reminds us that not all who "left" Paul abandoned him; instead, several were instrumental in spreading the letters to far-flung churches in the Roman Empire.

Application.
Brothers, we can never underestimate the impact meeting face-to-face can have in those that suffer and despair. Today we have the luxury of making contact by video messaging and engaging brothers across the world. Our letters, voice messages and image can be broadcast in real time, saving months of travel, a huge investment of capital and foster the rapid dissemination of the Truth.
But how diligent are we in taking the time to meet and employing such technology to full effect?
Let’s take some time today to think about those who are sorrowful and suffering and make some time to provide them an encouraging word and pray with them. May our time with them lighten their loads, boost their faith and remind us how fellowship is such an important facet to our faith!