And they lived happily ever after…….

Greetings to all my young friends in the mighty name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am delighted and always look forward to reach out to my dear young friends through this column.

Many of our childhood stories popularly called “fairy tales” or “bed time stories” those days were about Kings and Princes, especially about the gaiety and valour of the charming Prince who will destroy all evil or cross seven seas across to win the heart of the most beautiful princess. Finally the Prince marries  the Princess. Normally such stories ended with the tag line : And they lived happily ever after….. In Tamil they used to end with “ Kathyum mudinthathu, kathirikayum kaaithathu” . As children, you are not expected to trouble your father or mother any further during bed time after this tag line and should sleep instantly !!!!!!

Once I grew up and became a prince or not, eventually got married. A son and daughter were  born and the family grew into a big realm of  bothside parents, siblings, friends etc., all of whom to be reckoned combined with  stiff professional expectations in office every day. Then one day, I seriously thought that all these stories should have even though ended in the princely wedding, they should have adequately cautioned that it is not the end of the story but, the “real life” starts only after that….Challenges galore ! Suddenly post wedding, the couple are catapulted into a world of their own where they have to run their own affairs all by themselves, which was a dream while you are a bachelor, but may become a burden especially if it is a nuclear family. But the Lord says matrimony is holy and both husband and wife are one flesh, inseparable. For the people of God, this works differently as the Lord is with us in every thing we do and He decides everything. The steps of the righteous man are always  ordered by the Lord.

It is easier said than done. Proverbs chapter thirty one poses a challenge as to who can find such a virtuous wife ? (Proverbs 31:10) . To draw a parallel from the Holy Bible itself, after prolonged meditation ,I came across a couple who were the ideal man and wife, joyful, a blessing to others all along and ever faithful to God. Only six times they are named in the Holy Bible. Not much is known about their other family details, other than that the husband was a jew and they were tent makers. The wife’s name was that of from the Roman Aristocratic family and nothing is mentioned about her Jewish descent.  Aquila and Priscilla are the couple we are talking about.

Brief mention of their story starts with their life in Rome, where probably they accepted Lord Jesus as their personal saviour. The unexpected decree from Roman emperor Claudius directing all the jews to leave,  forces them to go to Corinth. It was an important town those days due to “isthmus of Corinth” where ships will stop for refurbishing their sails and also famous for “Isthmian games” ,  a festival of athletic and musical competitions for which tents were in high demand. But it was more providential rather than a choice or chance that they landed in Corinth. Apostle Paul met them here and almost spent the next 18 months with them and preached the Gospel. Apostle Paul also was from the background of tent makers. The family welcomed him with alacrity and they were spiritually more enlightened by his teachings. This trio next moved to Ephesus. Here a church was planted in the residence of this couple. After some time Paul left them on his further mission. Here they met a new fire brand Jewish preacher by name Apollos, but found him to be not enlightened about the death and resurrection of Jesus leading to our salvation,  which was imparted on him by them.

A few years later this couple went back home to Rome on the death of Claudius and removal of the decree banning jews by emperor Nero. Here also an engineered fire broke out destroying the habitat and eventually emperor  Nero putting the blame on Christians. The writing was clear on the wall, the family migrated back to Ephesus. Their journey in faith continued till their final martyrdom upholding their faith on their dear Lord Jesus. This is their short story.

Several take aways for us from their life and times :

• They were the most ideal couple we could ever come across: Always mentioned as Priscilla and Aquila and the later never taking any offence about the first name.
• They belonged to the category of tent makers. Almost nomads. Several times they lost everything and went to far off places searching for livelihood. But this never reduced their faith in God or their joyful family life or opening their home for evangelism.
• Despite their poor financials, they were always receptive and welcomed men of God in their home and supported them.
• Probably they established one of the first churches in history in their home and nurtured it.
• They were not only faithful but they were also scholars and led by the Holy Spirit. Aquila is accredited as the first Bishop of Asia minor. Many theologians believe  that it was Priscilla who wrote the Book of Hebrews.
• They were willing to go to any extent to protect God’s people. To quote Apostle Paul :” who risked their own necks for my life..(Romans 16:4)
• From migratory tent makers, they became evangelists, accreditation given by no less than a person as Apostle Paul who mentions them as his co-workers. (Romans 16: 3).
• Their social or financial status or position in society never changed their faith, their alacrity to host men of God and lead the believers in worship in their home.
• Priscilla acquired the distinction of the first female teacher, counsellor and pastor in history as women were denied such leadership roles in the Jewish society.
• Finally their lives reflected not only in their harmony as an ideal husband and wife but reflecting the true love of our Lord Jesus. With smiles on their face, they faced martyrdom together for their faith.

As post script I would like to mention that their story has not ended with the cliché “ They lived happily ever after” with a past tense. But modify it as :” They live happily ever after “ in the bosom of Lord Jesus, their comforter. Sitting at the Lord’s feet together in heaven along with Angels, praising and worshipping the Lord.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. “

( Proverbs 31 : 28-30).

Prayer : Dear Lord Jesus,

We thank you for your grace and blessings. We thank you for our good parents, teachers and our pastors who lead us and guide us in Your path.
Please open our eyes to see the inner beauty of people and bless us with the joyful partner as Aquila had Priscilla as one flesh. Let our hearts and homes be always  open to God’s people.

Give us the strength to always  stand for You, only for You.

We pray in Jesus name,

Amen.

God’s Love Missions Family.