An Infertile Black Man Learns to Love Jesus
December 22nd 2008 10:16
According to Scriptural testimony in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, one of the deacons in the early Christian church was advised by one of God’s messengers to go to a remote place. This deacon (which means his major duty was to serve tables and see to the material needs of Christians) was named Philip. The Scriptural testimony says that an angel (or a messenger of God) told Philip to start a journey toward Gaza.
In spite of a revival type of atmosphere at Jerusalem, Philip took off in the direction of Gaza. I have no reason to believe that Philip questioned God about this order to leave the place where so much was taking place and to go to a nearly deserted place. No records in the Book of the Acts indicate any frustration on the part of Philip. No doubt, he had seen enough in the past several days to know that it is not wise to have any rebellious notions about doing what God wants done. He had likely seen a couple of people die on the spot when they showed dishonesty in their dealings with God. He probably witnessed the death of another of the deacons, the first Christian martyr. If he witnessed that, he also saw how God welcomes His children into Heavenly courts.
Philip is reported to have come upon this black eunuch from Candace’s court. He felt that God wanted him to get close to the man’s chariot so he could hear what the man was saying.
The eunuch was reading from Old Testament Scripture since the New Testament had not yet been written. The man was reading aloud so Philip could hear his words. It became evident that he was reading from the book of Isaiah, a part of the book which prophesied about the coming of a Messiah.
Of course, several questions could come to mind as we consider this account. For one thing, we may wonder why this man from North Africa was in the Promised Land. He was not a Jew, or so it seemed to Philip. Still, if we consider the history of Israel in earlier times, we may recall that the Queen of Sheba (in Ethiopia) visited Solomon and was quite impressed. She may have taken many of the Israelite stories back with her. In fact, she may have even taken some Israelite people back to Ethiopia; we do not know for certain about that. Anyhow, the Ethiopians have had an earlier history with the Israelites from the days of King Solomon.
Perhaps this eunuch was partly Jewish, especially if the Queen of Sheba did indeed take some Israelites back to Ethiopia with her. If so, he may have decided to do some investigating about the past of his ancestors on the Jewish side of his family.
We are sure that the eunuch was not a part of any Jewish religious activities in Jerusalem since he was altered in his private parts. The Old Testament forbids such men from being allowed to enter the sanctuary of God, according to Deuteronomy chapter 23, one of the books of Moses.
He was surely a highly educated man since his native language was not Greek or Aramaic, the languages most used in Israel at the time. He was reading from Isaiah, probably either a Hebrew version or a translation into Greek or Aramaic or even Latin.
Back to the account, Philip approached the eunuch as he read. Apparently, the rest of the group from Ethiopia were busy so the eunuch was alone as he read from Isaiah. The beginning of the conversation was probably somewhat like this.
“Hello, Sir. I am named Philip. I see you are reading from scrolls. Do you understand what you are reading?” asked Philip.
“Oh, hello, Philip,” the eunuch responded. “Yes, I am reading from Jewish scrolls, but no, I don’t actually understand everything that I read here.”
“Would it be all right with you if we look at the message together?” asked Philip.
“Of course, I really need someone who understands this language and may have read these same words before. I need someone to explain it,” the eunuch responded eagerly.
Philip sat next to his new friend and looked at the scroll with him.
The eunuch asked, “Is the writer talking about himself or someone else?”
Philip read the words aloud, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter and like a lamb, was dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth. In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away, and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the Earth.”
“Dear Sir,” began Philip. “He was talking about another Person, One whom I represent for Whom I am living my life.”
Philip went on to explain how Isaiah was talking about the coming of Jesus, the Christ. He explained the life of Jesus and how His death and resurrection made eternal life a possibility for everyone who believed in him. No doubt, he explained the ordinance of water baptism as a sign of being a believer in Jesus.
The eunuch was engrossed in the message that Philip was presenting simply. The message of salvation is a simple message of the God Who loves mankind deeply and has done everything He can to redeem men from the results of living a life of rebellion. The message of God is the message of Jesus Who said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
With the eunuch’s permission, Philip travelled with him for a distance. After a time, they came upon a body of water. The eunuch said, “Here is water. What would hinder me from being baptized?”
Philip responded wisely, “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized.”
The eunuch testified, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” He ordered the chariot to stop so he and Philip could go down into the water.
The Book of the Acts of the Apostles does not tell me this part of the story, however. I think that there was a great uproar in Heaven when this Ethiopian eunuch gave his heart to Jesus and began living a Christ-centered life.
Think about it. The country of Ethiopia has a very long history of Christianity for centuries. No doubt, this important but humble man returned with a testimony that helped to change his whole country.
This unnamed eunuch fell in love with Jesus, the Christ, and helped thousands of his countrymen to hear the same gospel which changed his life so significantly.
| 61 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
