Apollos loves to the moon and back

Dan Harper November 28, 2024 0 0

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Acts 18: 27 (NRSVA)

27 And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, 

As a young man finding my feet in Edinburgh with a new flat and a new job, there was obviously something about me that looked like I could do with a bit of looking after. I made friends at this time I still have kept some 20 years later, including one who was of great support.  

Having recently moved to Edinburgh from Blantyre, Malawi, via my parents, I initially found, after difficult days at work, coming home to an empty flat a bit rough. One of the regular ways she supported me was through the provision of cake. I would come home to find her husband had dropped off a simple sponge cake with jam in the middle and icing sugar dusted on the top, like my mum still makes. 

Apollos left the comfort of Ephesus and went to Achaia. And was initially very reliant on the new friends he was making. A universal truth for all of us as we move to new places and start to explore new things. But over time as Apollos matured, he was able to serve the community which had served him. Probably not giving back to those who initially supported him but passing on that support and encouragement to new members of the community. Sharing enthusiastic and engaging accounts of Jesus and all he had learned from his friends, in Achaia, in Ephesus, and beyond. 

One of the best things you can do as a friend is being able to support someone you care about, but also showing people that they matter even when they can’t give anything in return. One of the most challenging things about loving others as we love ourselves, as Christ asks us to do, is offering love freely into the world without expecting anything in return.

The Kingdom of God is not about what favours we can earn, but about the love, hope and joy we can share, echoing that already shared with us. It could be, that you were given cake when you needed cake, so you now give cake to those whom it would help. The challenge for us all is looking for where we can pass on that literal or metaphorical cake. 

Let us pray:

God, help me to accept the love I am shown. And help me go to the moon and back to show your love to others. 

Amen