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A Marriage after God’s Own Heart

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.”¹

In the beginning of Scripture, God determined to make a “helper” for man; a counterpart or a complement (Gen. 2:18). It was His plan to create a relationship where man and woman, husband and wife, would live and grow together as ONE.

Priscilla and her husband, Aquilla, gave us such an example. We are introduced to them in the Book of Acts, chapter 18. Every time they are mentioned, thereafter, they are always together! Priscilla was your typical Jewish wife who was taught to keep the home, cook the meals, and submit to her husband. Yet, under God’s grace and mercy that relationship grew to a new level. The couple came to faith in Christ and allowed that to be the center of their marriage. Together they worked, side by side, in their trade of tent-making, and in ministry, alongside Paul, as missionaries. The mutual use of their names in scripture makes it clear that one was not above the other, they were partners, serving one another and in turn, others as well. Jewish law hadn’t allowed women to have direct access to the Lord, but as a Christian Jew, Priscilla not only had immediate access to God through Christ, but she also had the privilege of serving Him; a privilege that she took full advantage of! She shared the Gospel right alongside her husband, bringing others to Christ and supporting Paul’s ministry from city to city. Priscilla is remembered today because she allowed God to use her in every area of her life. From marriage to ministry, her life honored God.

Husband-and-wife relationships may be difficult, but a glance at Priscilla’s relationship with Aquilla reminds us that, as Christians, Christ must be the center of our marriage in order for it to be healthy and strong. In living together as ONE in all things, we are fulfilling God’s plan for marriage. This is an example of what Christian marriages can be like through Christ.

Suggested Prayer:

Dear God, how merciful you have been to allow the Bible to be our life’s manual. I strive to have a marriage like that of Priscilla and Aquilla’s where you are the center, and your name is glorified above all. Thank you for your grace and the everyday examples you left for us, your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Romans 16:3.

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.