Series: Advancing
Message: A Continued Triumphal Entry
Preacher: Tim Gillespie
Reflection: Kris de Bruin
Live Wonder: Jessyka Albert
Live Adventure: Jessyka Albert
Live Purpose: Kyle Smith
Editor: Becky De Oliveira
Refresh: Begin today in prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit and for God’s character to be revealed.
Read: Acts 8:26-40 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.
Reflect: “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).
Chapters 8-10 in the book of Acts focus on the church’s mission outside of Jerusalem. They are specifically interested in those considered to be on the margins of society—the Samaritans, Simon the magician, and the Ethiopian eunuch. Then the focus shifts to an enemy of the church who becomes an unlikely powerful advancer of the faith, and finally to a man Luke considers to be the first Gentile to come into the faith. However, among all these conversion stories, the Ethiopian eunuch is the only one who, after being baptized, is not assimilated into a church. Sure, the argument could be made that he was on his way traveling home. But it raises the question of whether he would have been welcomed by the other members of the church. This issue does not seem to concern the Ethiopian as he is pictured riding off into the sunset, rejoicing in the events that have just unfolded.
There are quite a few resurrection stories in the New Testament, each indicating the incredible recreation power that Jesus possesses. After each story, we see people rejoicing and celebrating the event. One of the most significant is the resurrection of Jesus, where after Mary and Martha discovered the empty tomb they ran back to their friends to become the first bearers of the good news! I believe that the Ethiopian became both the resurrected one through his baptism and the bearer of good news to his home country. Peter Roennfeldt notes that there still exists a Christian heritage in Ethiopia today, probably transmitted by this very Ethiopian; this is evidenced by “prayer shawls similar to what he might have seen in Jerusalem; the church buildings, more reflective of the Jerusalem temple, with worshippers in the courtyards and not inside; and in a rich heritage of seventh-day Sabbath-keeping” (Following The Spirit: Disciple-Making and Movement-Building). For this ethnically and sexually different believer, the resurrection of Jesus meant a new state of justice and fellowship with others, from whom he had long been alienated.
This story becomes a message of liberation to all, showing that the Gospel of Jesus is for everyone and can be shared by everyone—even those who do not fit the traditional mold intentionally or unintentionally set up by insiders. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch fulfills the promise of a new temple—a house of prayer for all nations. A promise of inclusion, as recorded in Isaiah 56:1-8.
Recalibrate: How can people who do not fit the traditional mold become powerful witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus?
Respond: Pray for an open heart and mind. Pray that the Spirit of Jesus will transform your prejudices and traditions.
Research: Purposefully go out into your community to spend time with people who are different from you. Take time to listen to their stories and to learn from them.
Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose
Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose
What is something special or unique about your child? What have you learned about God’s love from your child? Take a moment to pray that your child will continue to share God’s love with you and with others as they grow up.
What is special about you? Are you maybe really good at drawing or a really fast runner? Maybe you are really good at telling jokes. Jesus made you special. You have a special way to share Jesus’ love and personality with others. How can you use your special gifts to tell others about Jesus?
I don’t know you, but I know that Jesus has called you to share His message of love and hope with the world. Today, write down three ways Jesus can use you to share the Gospel in your everyday life. It may not be through preaching or giving Bible studies and that is OK. In fact, that is good! Jesus needs all of us, each doing different things.