Sharing the Word

Acts 8:26-40

"Rise and go to... to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place."

Is it in the desert, is that what the Lord is saying? Perhaps, but I think it is also like the place where Jesus  fasted and prayed and was ministered to by the angels of the Lord. I remember that the Word of  the Lord was on his lips when the evil one tempted him. This desert place is one where the scriptures can be opened for us.

We read yesterday that Philip was spreading the good news in Samaria, and now he is on his way toward Jerusalem, still spreading the good news. Whether or not this was his original plan, Philip is following the Lord's plan and look at what happens! We may not read about all of his preaching and teaching but we have this one scene that tells us a lot; both about Philip's actions, but also about what people who don't know or haven't heard wish to know - and the results.

"Do you understand what you are reading?"


"How can I unless someone guides me?"

This question and answer tell me an easy way to offer more. Obviously the Ethiopian wanted to know more, since he was already reading it. And his answer is true. How can any of us, of our own accord, know what things mean? We go to school, we take classes we read instructional books on all sorts of things we wish (or need) to learn. Without this guidance and instruction, we are left to guess at what things mean, and guessing, we can get things wrong. Tim Conway did a skit where the dentist was reading the instructions on how to extract a tooth, while he was working on a patient. This was hilarious, as comedy skits can be, but in reality, without guidance we are all left to figure it out on our own. In the case of Tim Conway the dentist, the patient found himself with an infected tooth, and an incompetent dentist who had injected himself with the Novocaine, instead of the patient. In the case of this Ethiopian, Philip obliges and tells him the back story and the end of the story and the beginning of the rest of his life.

The Ethiopian takes it to heart! He asks: What is to prevent me from getting baptized right here and now? Nothing! Without Philip, the Ethiopian would have been reading without the rest of this story; we each need a Philip to explain and expand the story. Yesterday a friend came who was reading these passages and asked about one of the earlier readings, and we talked about it and read some together about it and she left with a better understanding. In this study we can look at what the teachers of the scriptures have said before, we can add our thoughts to those of others and together we can read with understanding, and receive joy as this Ethiopian did.

Together we can spread the good news.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie