Not much is said about Aquila and Priscilla, but what we do know is they were leaving Rome because the Jews were expelled from that country. The history of the Jews is important to their people. Other people treasure their heritage and have no desire to loose that heritage. One way is by obeying the law and not tarry around where one is not wanted.. I do not doubt some people remained in Rome, for Jews and Christians would be feed to the lions. Apostle Peter would die in Rome nailed to a cross upside down for his faith. However this is not about persecution today, yet it sets the scene of the journey of a couple and a man, who knew how to make tents. Tents were needed for travel and a way to make money on the road. It was a craft much like any craft, whether it be sewing, making tools or shoeing a horse. Everyone traveling had something they could do to make life more comfortable. And Aquila and Priscilla’s craft was making tents and Paul knew how to do that and joined them. Because of this joining up with Paul their story might never had been told of how they as a couple worked together and made money and worked in the ministry of the Lord to share and to teach others more about faith in God and Christ.

To have a marriage and a person one can work with and share in the ministry is important. I be honest, if my husband and I go to build something together it is like a tug a war match. I can see the design, and he is the strength and ability to use most tools well. Though he not a carpenter by trade he can wield a hammer, and saw a few boards and nail them together. However when it comes to picturing it before putting it together that my job. Figuring out angels and so forth. Now the project will get accomplished but it usually not without a few choice words to each other. When it all said and done we know we done the job. Yet it is better when my husband and I work together as a team in other aspects in life that is not so argumentative. It is like knowing one skills, and being able to work side by side. It is the difference between entertaining teens in one’s home for a brief time, and working out who makes the brownies and deals the cards or choose the movie. It sounds simple right. Well some people can not even get along long enough to entertain for a moment. It is nice when couples can work together. It is the those things in life that says I know it works well, but this one thing is not something we should try again or maybe it just learning each other skills. It taking the adventure of a marriage to the next level of trying new things out, on adventure like treasure hunting, learning a new sport, or hobby. Taking interest in each other talents and gifts.

A marriage is more then just taking care of each other, though that is part of life. Some people might say they can get along with anyone, but the truth of the matter there are people we love being around more then others, especially every waking hour. In old age one has to hope that the choice of who they marry is that person you want to wake up or sleep beside. Comforting in memories when one can not speak anymore. It that human attraction to each other that makes a good couple. Yet it teamwork that makes it through life.

Now by reading the story of Aquila and Priscilla one might not get everything I said from this passage. Yet as I looked for scripture this morning running through my mind I could not remember where the word helpmate was really the definition for a couple except for Aquila and Priscilla. I began to wonder why is this. It is perhaps because most of the Bible speaks of the leaders or future leaders parents and their views. Paul is still telling his story of meeting Aquila and Priscilla while being in the synagogue in different places preaching. The one thing that struck me is they must of gotten along well together in hospitality toward Paul and others, for Aquila minister to more then just Paul in their home, even to starting a church.

In truth with the story of few couples working together it leaves the question of what does the Bible say about marriage and divorce. Perhaps it is because marriage is common sense concerning human relationships of who do you work well with and who can you be around with long periods of time. Who can you give to as well as take from. Adam never got to choose his wife and his wife killed him with a piece of fruit. He would face death outside the garden. There is Sarah and Abraham, Abraham seem to have no trouble sacrificing his family and yet was the leader of his home. Sarah taken by the king Abimelech to marry because he thought Sarah was just Abraham’s sister. If it had not been for God, Sarah would have been one of the many wives of a king she did not love. Jacob betrayed by his father in law had to work seven more years to get the right daughter that he loved.

One has to ask what kind of relationship are these in scripture, then one has to realize God’s command of woman to be helpmates. It not about who is boss, or who a servant is but who choose to put the other one first. Abraham though a leader knew how to protect himself. Yet it said to protected Sarah too, but Isaac and Ishmael were both sacrificed in a way. Neither died, but they both knew that Abraham’s God had power to protect them. Sometimes leadership is not always doing what seems right but pushing the line of causing another to stand up and trust God for themselves.

The relationship one has with God can not be with another. One can not testify of relationship without knowing God mercy and grace in their own life or his forgiving power. One can not testify of God without knowing his way is best and what He says is for our protection. God even allows the devil to test us to see if we will obey without question, and teaching us until we rise to appoint of obedience.

Marriage is suppose to last a life time together. In truth it not always the case. It because mainly people work so far apart, their goals are no longer the same, and the direction they are going has changed. Instead of working together to develop each other goals they become people pulling apart. When we pull away from God we are choosing not to work with God as a team. To work with God one knows in the long term God’s team wins, even when the devil has no desire for you or God to be around. If you are making the devil that mad then the work you and God does together as a team must be shining bright. Jesus desires to bridge the relationship to God the Father. He accomplished it with the cross. Hand and hand we walk with the groom Jesus Christ toward the Father of all.

Dear Heavenly Father as we join in your work of the spread of love, help us learn to be helpmate you need us to be, with you taking in the factor that you designed us to be your children from the beginning. In Jesus precious name, Amen.