Today's Scripture
Acts 8:26-38 Answer To Prayer
26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
RJ's Devotion
What does the passage say?
V. 26-28 The passage reveals three characters of this story; Philip, Ethiopian eunuch, and the Holy Spirit
V. 29 – 33 Philip is commanded to approach the Ethiopian eunuch, who was coming back from the Jerusalem Temple. The eunuch was reading from the scroll of Isaiah, which he had a hard time understanding the meaning.
V. 34- 38 Philip helps him to understand the meaning of God’s word. After understanding the full meaning of the word, the eunuch was baptized and Philip is sent to another journey.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
As I reflect on this passage, two words come to my mind; desire and journey. When these two intersect synergy is created.
There was a desire of the eunuch who wanted to find the truth. His desire led him to a pilgrimage to find that truth. Even though the temple law would have prevented him to enter, he was able to obtain a scroll. Maybe that was enough for him, but he might have still prayed, ‘ Lord, help me understand your word.’
On the other hand, there was a desire of Philip. After experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple, Philip was full with the desired to follow the direction of the Spirit. The Spirit led him to meet with this eunuch.
And, at last, we see the desire of God, who seeks out to the people who desire God. God orchestrated the encounter, by leading them to walk in this journey together.
When desire and journey collided, there was new life.
As we reflect on this passage, I would like to ask us to pray and ask, ‘Lord, give me the desired to know you more and be led by you.’
When our desire to follow God’s will collide with others who are seeking our Lord, I believe God will continue to bring new life into our faith, every day.
Prayer
Lord, we desire to follow your leadership. We desire to know you more and share our life with others. Who are you placing in our lives, help us to join in that journey together?
Be with us as we desire to follow your will, today. In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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