Breaking barriers
Day 495, Friday, Dec. 19
Acts 8:26-40
After his successful ministry in Samaria, an angel instructs Philip to head south toward Gaza. While on the road Philip meets a chariot carrying an important official of the queen of Ethiopia.
The official, a eunuch, was reading from the book of Isaiah. This suggests that he was already a believer in the God of the Jews. He was probably what is sometimes called a “God-fearer”—a person who believed in and worshiped God without fully converting to Judaism. We’ll see God-fearers again in the New Testament; many of them were among the early converts to Christianity. He would not have been a Jew, as eunuchs were specifically excluded from the community under the law.
Philip shares the gospel with him, wisely beginning with the passage of Isaiah the man was reading. Meeting people where they are is typically the best path to sharing the gospel truth.
After Philip shares the good news, the man challenges him: “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
Philip baptizes him.
This represents one of the most radical expansions of the gospel yet recorded. Not only is the man a eunuch, he is also of a different race and an official of a foreign government. The fact that he is the official over the queen’s treasury, and that he is able to travel so far from home suggests that he is also wealthy.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Friday meditation
Psalms 45:1-9
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
Prayer focus
God, break down the barriers that we use to limit the spead of your gospel.