When You Get a Footnote in the Pages of History

Preparing for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Two Days before Sunday (Year A)

Scripture (semicontinuous)

Psalter: Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b

Old Testament: Genesis 36:1-8

Epistle: Acts 18:24-28

Scripture (complementary)

Psalter: Psalm 85:8-13

Old Testament: 1 Kings 18:17-19, 30-40

Epistle: Acts 18:24-28

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Prayer

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

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Reflection

Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos from Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus (Acts 18:24-28).

In Acts chapter 18, we read of the start of Paul’s third missionary journey. Beginning in verse 24, Luke offers a little interlude about a man named Apollos. We know virtually nothing about him. Paul mentions him (1 Corinthians 3:5-6), but we have no detailed information. Yet, Luke deems him important enough to bring to our attention.

We are told that his ministry is an apologetic one, that is he offers reasons for the credibility of the Christian faith and how the Jewish scriptures point to Jesus as the Messiah.

When I read this passage, I think of how many influential people there have been in the church throughout the centuries who have made contributions that simply cannot be quantified, but yet we hear little to nothing about them. They are lost to us in the pages of history.

But here in Acts, Apollos gets a brief mention, a footnote we might say affirming his importance. It would be nice to learn more about him, but we are not afforded that information.

The most important thing that we followers of Jesus do in word and in deed is to point to Jesus himself. Jesus is at the center. Ultimately, whether you or I are remembered in the pages of history, even with a footnote is irrelevant. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount that we should let our work so shine before others that they will see it and glorify the Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16). It is always nice to be recognized, and it is important to recognize the contributions of others; but whether that recognition happens in a large way or a small way or even not at all, it’s the work that matters. It’s shining the light on Jesus that matters more than anything.

At the end of the day that should be enough.

PRAYER: We praise your abiding guidance, O God, for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah, to model for us the way of love for the whole universe. We offer our prayers of love on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors, on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

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