Explore:
Wherever He Leads I’ll Go – this is the heartcry of our friend, Priscilla. Priscilla hails from Rome, Italy, but when she and her husband, Aquila, are forced to leave because of their Jewish faith, they land in Corinth. Corinth, the land of idolatry and insolence, was to be their new home. They took up their trade as tent-makers and welcomed the apostle Paul into their home – not for just one night but for 545 nights! The apostle Paul continued to minister “teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:11.
Can you imagine having the apostle Paul at the dinner table for 545 nights? The conversations, the times of deep study, and fervent prayer must have been an incredible blessing to Priscilla and Aquila. They grew in strength and knowledge. They fortified their souls and grew ever deeper in love with the Lord Jesus Christ – until they were asked to leave Corinth, enroute to Syria, and then posted in Ephesus.
What do we know about Ephesus? Another idolatrous city along the Roman road, but soon to become the first of the seven churches mentioned in the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John the beloved. Priscilla and Aquila settle down and serve Christ faithfully, amidst a diverse population and with devoted hearts.
Her story continues, and her accolades follow. Priscilla finds herself serving night and day, and never wavering in her commitment to her husband, her community, but most of all to her Christ. She is the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman—Proverbs 31:25-26, 30:
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue…
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Apply:
How do you relate to Priscilla’s story? She is the quintessential woman of excellence with her words lining up accurately with the Word of God, her actions exemplifying the love of the Holy Spirit towards others, and her priorities and relationships flowing from the plans that our Father in Heaven has revealed. Together with Aquila, they became a living Gospel, and a picture of the Church and Christ, loving, serving, and caring for one another, with deep respect, admiration, service, and JOY!
“Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.” Ephesians 5:22-24 The Message Bible (Eugene Peterson)
But what about those of us who are single? Do we see anything of value in the way Priscilla lived with confidence and courage? By all means, YES! I love her undaunted courage characterized by quiet strength. I love her sense of adventure, taking her stand, and then taking her leave, as the Holy Spirit leads. I love her accurate use of Scripture, so much so, that the Holy Spirit calls upon her and her husband to instruct an eloquent man named Apollos, who then fearlessly refuted those who opposed Christ, “he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” Acts 18:28.
But my favorite descriptor of Priscilla is found in Romans 16:3-4, as the Apostle Paul describes her and her husband, always together in spirit and service, as follows;
“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”
If we believe the Bible to be the holy and inspired Word of God, and I do, then we believe the little word, “all” is intended just as its given in this context. Literally, and beautifully, Paul says that ALL of the churches give thanks to God for Prisca (her formal name, rather than Priscilla) and Aquila.
What can we do today – while it is still called today – to cause the Church of the Living God, to know that our labors are not in vain? To find courage, strength, and even joy? Let’s be ready to say YES!, however, whenever, wherever He leads!
