Read Today's Scripture
The Power of Meek Words
What’s striking about today’s Acts’ reading is Apollos. Obviously an eloquent and knowledgable, young man, who was a gifted and effective preacher, Apollos nonetheless was probably not a very precise preacher. But he was humble enough to receive Priscilla’s and Aquila’s feedback, most likely even though he was a greater preacher and teacher than them, so that his gifted eloquence could be joined together with Christ-centered wisdom and knowledge. What’s even more striking is this: Acts never mentions any of the apostles as eloquent preachers and teachers. In fact, Paul even says that he spoke with little to no eloquence (I Cor 2:1). So, what makes them great? Because there is power in weakness and meekness more than there is power in eloquence. If God can use the Word of God, Christ himself, in his weakness and meekness to save the World, how much more can God use our weak and meek words to witness his power to the World! But how does this work? Lest we forget, Christ the Word of God, is one with God. Thus Jesus commands us to ask for anything in his name, because he shares the same name with his Father—he is one with God. But more importantly, there is power in these words: that God the Father loves us. The greatest lie ever told was by the Serpent in the Garden, where without even saying the words “God doesn’t love you,” he eloquently tricked Adam and Eve into believing that God did not love them. The greatest truth ever told to the World was by Christ hanging feebly and weakly on the Cross declaring to the World, “for God so loved the World that he gave his only son”. The power of these words needs not eloquence because it has the powerful love of Christ himself embedded in them. So, as you witness, remember that you don’t need the confidence, strength, and eloquence of Apollos. You only need the powerful words of the Word made flesh who died and rose for us.
Collect
O God, who by the glorification of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit hast opened for us the gates of thy kingdom: Grant that we, who have received such great gifts, may dedicate ourselves more diligently to thy service, and live more fully the riches of our faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.