Seven Brave Women

This new friend named Paul is skilled in your tentmaking trade, Priscilla. A native of Cilicia, Paul is many miles from home, but this is commonplace. People travel throughout the Empire to find work and comfort, to explore the known world. Paul’s home province sells a good grade of goats’ hair, the primary material for tents. The exported hide is called ‘Cicilian Cloth’, and you know it well. Over time you see he is quite skilled, and you recognize that his parents practiced and taught him the trade. You talk, you share stories of the God of the Jews and then tales of how He has brought you there. At first there is fear….Do we speak about our faith in Jesus? This man is unusual, passionate, humble and unashamed. He asks if he can tell you the marvelous news about his Jesus, his Christ. You are delighted to share that you already know Him.

Paul asks to join The Way and to worship in your home. You accept, of course. He wants to hear your story: “How did you encounter the Spirit of God? Where did you first learn about Christ?” Paul shares his remarkable meeting with the Lord on the road, a light so bright it landed him flat. He is changed. Paul is a skilled teacher, you soon learn. There will be hours under the silvery olive trees, date palms and craggy laurel trees learning the message of Christ, learning to speak of the truth and be bold with those you teach. At times you will laugh at the devotion of this man who only knew you recently as ‘wife of Aquila.’

But you, Priscilla, have a special gift, a calling and purpose. You are a teacher and one who can interpret the gospel message boldly for the cause of Christ. You are brave. Paul sees this in you and encourages your curiosity and your gifts. Each Sabbath he goes to the synagogue and tries to reason with the Jews and Greeks. You follow, admire, and listen.