Devotion • September 20
Today's Scripture
Acts 18:1–11
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together — by trade they were tentmakers. Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus. When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Then he left the synagogue and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the official of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul became believers and were baptized. One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.” He stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (NRSV)
Reflection
Do you have any friends who tell you they don’t need institutional religion to connect with God? I sure do. Some claim the label of Christian but proudly tell me they practice it without church. I get it. Churches are messy, complicated institutions. There are bad-apple preachers out there and misguided theologies. Church can place demands on our time, our energy, and even our money. And I will admit that it does sound kind of nice to have Sunday mornings free, to choose with whom I want to spend my time, and certainly to have a bit more cash in my bank account. But then I encounter people like Aquila and Priscilla.
Paul first encountered them while trying to spread the good news in Corinth. Aquila and Priscilla landed in Corinth after fleeing Rome. Together with Paul they were tentmakers. And like Paul, they were Christians. He arrived alone in Corinth but quickly formed a bond with these two. Soon Paul was no longer working alone. He had their support and encouragement to continue his ministry.
Later, Aquila and Priscilla open their home as a place of worship and learning for the emerging community of believers in Corinth. Paul’s success in his ministry in Corinth is in large part because of the support and collaboration of Aquila and Priscilla. They relied on each other, encouraged each other.
Their example reminds us of the importance of community and partnership in our faith. We cannot live this Christian life alone. Just as Aquila and Priscilla supported one another and worked together to spread the gospel, we too are called to be part of a vibrant Christian community. In fact, all believers are called to community. By sharing our gifts, encouraging and serving one another, we strengthen our faith and make the good news visible.
Sure, we can have our Sunday mornings, our spare time, and our money to ourselves, but that isn’t the Christian life. For Christians, life is better together.
Prayer
O God, you call us to live a life rooted and devoted to Christian community. When we tire of it (and we will) or find ourselves doubting its role in our lives (and we will), stir our hearts and minds again. For it is only in the community of faith where we find our true purpose and home. Amen.
Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email
YouTube
Podcasts
/fourthchurch
#fourthchurch
@fourthchicago