April 25th. 2021
Devotional
“Ethiopian Eunuch Baptized”
Acts 8:26-39
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Monday: “Get Up” - Acts 8:26
There are certain scripture passages that every time I read them I am caught by something new. That is one of the reasons we return to scripture again and again and again - we believe that God speaks truth through it, right here and right now.
This week I was struck by the words of the angel of the Lord to Philip, “Get up” followed by a bit of instruction. When I think of other times and places that the angel of the Lord shows up, there is often words of peace that come, “Do not be afraid” followed by the news he brings. To Mary. To Zechariah. To Jospeh. To the women at the tomb.
But not Philip. Which makes me wonder if Philip has had other encounters with the angel of the Lord. For the angel doesn’t introduce himself nor does he speaks these words of peace or even bring news. Or perhaps, Philip is so intone with the movement of the Spirit that he can simply respond to the angel without needing to be calmed.
I want that type of faith. The faith of Philip that can pick up and go. The faith of Philip that does not fear. The faith of Philip that does not need all of the details, but simply respond. The faithful response that leads to divine encounters.
When has God called you to ‘go’ and how did you respond?
Prayer: God, we confess that sometimes we do not have the faith of Philip. Sometimes we want to know all of the details before we are willing to respond. And even then, sometimes we fail to be obedient. Forgive us, O Lord, and never stop calling us to “go”, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday: “Reading the Prophet” - Acts 8:27-28
If you were going to start having people read scripture where would you have them go first? This was a question posed in my discipleship group a few months back. The answers varied as widely as the number of women present. Some said Genesis. Others said Mark. Still other said Luke. Or the Psalms. But not a single person said the prophets.
If we are honest, the prophets can be a bit confusing. There is a lot of history that goes in to understanding them, and even then sometimes their words are hard to comprehend. Yet, that is what the Ethiopian eunuch found himself reading as he returned from worship in Jerusalem.
This is a man who was not Jewish by birth or by faith, but there was something about the God of the Israelites that captured his heart. So he was trying to read, trying to understand, but it was not coming easily to him.
Do you find the prophets easy or difficult to understand? Why?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your Word that continues to speak to us today. There are times when it is easy to understand, and other times when we need help. Send people to help us understand your word and send us out to walk alongside others as they read as well. Amen.
Wednesday: “Do You Understand?” - Acts 8: 29-31
Philip does not approach the chariot and start teaching right away. Instead, he asks a simple and direct, while compassionate question, do you understand what you are reading?
And the Ethiopian eunuch was honest - no. It’s confusing. And how is he to understand what it means if someone is not there to explain it to him.
The Ethiopian eunuch probably does not have people in his life at the court who can explain this passage of sculpture and its overarching meaning to him. But here, along the road, sent by God is a disciple who can unravel the scriptures he has been tangled in.
The same is true in our lives as well. We need other people to walk with us to study the scriptures. At times they may explain them to us, at times we may explain them to others, but we guide one another by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Who helped you understand the scriptures?
Prayer: God, we confess that at times we act as if faith is something to be undertaken alone. But in the example of Philip we see how we can companion one another on the journey, while being led by the Holy Spirit. Unite us together in you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Thursday: “About Whom” - Acts 8: 32-35
The scripture that the eunuch was wrestling with was from Isaiah 53. He, rightly, was asking who this all was about. And Philip had his opening.
Philip wove together the words of the prophet with the history of the Israelites, as part of this greater narrative that pointed to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He told of how Jesus was both the son of God and servant of God, who gave his life to redeem us from sin. In him has emerged a new covenant, as the lamb of God, that redeems us.
I just imagine the eunuch leaning further and further in towards Philip as he heard this Good News for the first time. He may have been led to the temple that day, but he was set free by Philip proclaiming the Gospel.
We all have a moment when something just hits us about the love of God. It may be scripture. Or the words of another. It could be anything or anyone God uses to open up our hearts to receive the Good News. And we may be the ones God uses to open up the hearts of others.
Who first introduced you to the Good News of Jesus Christ? What was that experience like?
Prayer: Lord, free us to be proclaimers of the Gospel. We thank you for opening up our hearts to receive the Good News, now unleash us to share it, in word and deed, we pray. Amen.
Friday: “Baptized” - Acts 8: 36-39
The Ethiopian eunuch’s response is to desire to be baptized. To have an outward sign of what is happening in his life at this moment. He has realized that this Good News isn’t just for some, it is for all who accept it, including him, and he respond “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?”
The first chance he gets, he gives his life to Christ. Praise be to God!
After that holy act, Philip disappears, and we do not hear of the eunuch again. The same may be true in our lives as well. Some people may only walk with us on this journey of faith for a little while. But that doesn’t mean that we are not impacted by them or that we do not impact them in return. We simply respond to the holy moments that God gives us and trust God to bring the increase.
When has God led you to an unexpected moment to bless someone?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing us to be part of the faith journeys of other other. Bless our obedience, not for our own sake, but for their’s, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Council at Jerusalem” - Acts 15:1-18
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