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26 Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." 27 He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. 28 He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." 30 Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?" 31 He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. 32 The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. 33 He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth? 34 The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" 35 Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, "Here's water. Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn't mind. He had what he'd come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be. 40 Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea. (Acts 8:26-20 The Message Bible)
The late Rev. E. Stanley Jones, was a pastor asked to present a talk to young people about the mission field and the great need the Church has for effective missionaries. Rev. Jones was hesitant to accept such an assignment for he felt he did not know that much about that sort of work, but agreed to help out nonetheless. As he presented the message he began to weep for he realized it was he who was being called to be a missionary. And off to India he went to share the Good News. Dr. Jones had an awesome career as missionary, retreat leader, author, and pastor. At the highlight of his ministry he was elected bishop and he turned it down because it was not what he felt called to do or be. His daughter went on to marry a bishop and Dr Jones' legacy still lives on because he was not afraid to say yes to God to go where God would have him go.
This passage reintroduces us to Philip, one of the Twelve who was called by God through an angel to go and share the Good News. The angel told him the place and the time, so at noon that same day, there he was and he meets an official from Ethiopia, who while riding in a chariot was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. The writer also lets us know that this man was the Finance Minister of Queen Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. The Spirit tells him to climb aboard the chariot and so Philip runs alongside the vehicle and hears the words of the prophet being read aloud. Philip asks if the minister understands what he was reading, and the man answers, "How can I without help?" This was the opening that Philip wanted and so climbs on board and hears the passage is about a sheep being led to the slaughter, who while being slaughtered keeps silent, though mocked and put down, who never got a fair trial. This intrigued the minister and he asks, "Who is this that Isaiah is talking about? Himself, or someone else?" And so Philip shared Jesus with him, indicating the need for surrender to Jesus and to be baptized into the faith. The minister sees a stream of water and so asks why he can't be baptized right then and there? And there in that stream, Philip baptizes this minister into the Chrisian faith. And as soon as the two come up out of the water, Philip is taken away by the Holy Spirit. The finance minister no longer saw Philip but he was the happiest he had been in his life, for now he knew Jesus.
Philip was taken by the Holy Spirit to Azotus and traveled north preaching the Good News in all the villages along the route he was sent to, until he reached Caesarea. Philip's willingness to step into the chariot and engage in conversation with a stranger demonstrates his openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit and his commitment to sharing the gospel with all people, regardless of their background or status.
As believers, we are called to follow Philip's example—to be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to boldly proclaim the gospel, and to respond with obedience when opportunities arise to share God's love with others. In my other podcast, Your Best Day Ever published yesterday, I shared how God placed in my heart the need to pray Where and What, asking God to daily lead us to where He would have us be, and to do what He would have us do. In my ministerial career I have gone many places and have been blessed to have shared with many the Good News of Jesus. I continue to pray that because God never stops needing us.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the example of Philip, who listened attentively to Your Spirit and boldly proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. Grant us the same courage and obedience to step out in faith and share Your love with those we encounter. May we be sensitive to Your leading and faithful in our witness, that others may come to know You and rejoice in Your salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be open to wherever God would lead you and to share with any whom you feel you need to share God's Good News.
I love you and thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
