The One Character Trait that Outdoes All Others

S - "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke 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 to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:24-28 ESV)

O - The dynamics in and around Apollos are encouraging in many ways. The list of attributes is quite striking. Eloquent, competent in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, accurate, helping believers and powerful in public discourse is a list anyone would love to be described by.  Amazingly, there is another quality of his life which is often not a part of people who possess so many outstanding characteristics. The powerful, brilliant, eloquent Apollos was coachable, teachable … a rare combination ("when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."). Teachable is a quality of childlikeness … childlikeness is the only standard Jesus mentored the twelve toward which would cause them to enter and fully possess the Kingdom in its fullness (Matthew 18:1-4).  This is the quality which is the clearest affirmation that he both knew and was following Jesus.

A - Jesus did not tell his closest followers to be more like David, Daniel, Ruth or Moses. He did tell them to become like little children. Children:

o    rely on presences, not skill, resources or information.

o    are teachable unto change.

o    default to trust in the best and worst of times.

I want and need this attribute in increasing measure so I will continue to know (grow in my relationship with) and follow Jesus. I guess what I'm saying is: I want to be like Apollos so I can be more and more like Jesus. "In that same hour he [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”" (Luke 10:21-24 ESV)

P - Lord Jesus,

You lived it, taught it, commanded it and rejoiced in it … the revelation comes only to those who will become like little children. I am seeking, asking for spirit empowerment in this regard that my learning curve of you and from you would not fall toward horizontal but stay pleasantly toward vertical. Let me be coachable unto all you intend and to the life that is really life.

Looking to become and stay little,

Steve