Apollos has rough edges knocked off to the moon and back

Dan Harper November 29, 2024 0 0

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Acts 18: 28 (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, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.

In medieval bestiaries, the books that speak of real and mythical creatures, there are things called basilisks. Strange creatures normally described as a combination of a snake, a dragon, and a rooster. These mythical creatures were so powerful it was said they were like iron. This was because just as iron can sharpen iron, only a basilisk could kill another basilisk.

The same books often tell of the Self Devouring Serpent, or the Ouroboros Snake. A snake that devours its own tail, with what it eats of its own tail providing enough sustenance to keep the creature growing just enough that it does not consume itself. 

Apollos is growing and maturing in faith. He is welcomed and accepted wherever he goes, his understanding of Christ has grown, and he goes to different places to speak of Christ. He has reached a point where he is going into the world to show through debate and discussion that Jesus was the Messiah as promised in the Jewish holy texts.

Apollos didn’t start his life of faith with all the knowledge and skills he needed to do this. His understanding of Christ, and his ability to speak at length and engage in discussion were developed in the time spent with the church in Ephesus and Achaia. They encouraged him, supported him and maybe nudged him in the right direction when he needed it. 

Just as iron sharpens iron, and it takes a basilisk to defeat a basilisk, it takes other Christians to build up a Christian. It is only through our nurturing of each other, and our engaging with the Holy Spirit that we can continue to grow and develop into our full potential.  

Whilst that holds in theory, what is required is that we really challenge ourselves in practice. We must be gentle as we help others mature in faith. And recognise that we have our own rough edges and scratches that we need help smoothing over. 

Let us pray:

God, help me be gentle as I help others grow in you. And guide me as I journey to the moon and back to smooth my rough edges. 

Amen