Prophets Faithfull to God's CovenantProphets of Restoration
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) The Suffering Servant Brings SalvationActs 8:26-35
The MessageThe Ethiopian Eunuch26-28 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.” 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. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29-30 The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31-33 He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. 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.
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? 34-35 The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
For ReflectionJust as the Spirit directs our lives (if we allow), the Spirit directed Philip. Once told to the Ethiopian, the truth in Philip's story was immediately recognizable. The eunuch understood the embedded hope for justice.
Isn't it remarkable that the gospel has remained influential after over 2000 years! As Henry Gates writes, "In the centuries since its birth in the time of slavery, the Black Church has stood as the foundation of Black religious, political, economic, and social life." "Religion without humanity is a poor human stuff." —SOJOURNER TRUTH, Narrative of Sojourner Truth (“A Memorial Chapter”), 1884
Gates Jr., Henry Louis. The Black Church (p. 1). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. PrayPray s0 that the gospel becomes the foundation of your religious, political, economic, and social life.
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