4/2/10 Acts 8
The Ethiopian Eunuch & Good Friday
Philip was one of the seven men chosen in Acts 6 to serve (deacon) tables. He plays an instrumental role in the spread of the gospel described here in Acts 8. After the execution of Stephen this chapter tells us that a great persecution erupted and the disciples were scattered throughout all the regions of Judea. As the disciples went they were preaching the word of God. This lead to disciples increasing in number just as Acts 6 described. (See March 31 post) Luke who wrote Acts describes that Philip went “down” to Samaria because Samaria is much lower than Jerusalem in elevation. Samaria is actually north of Jerusalem so most of us would say they he went “up” to Samaria speaking of the direction he went. After some time in Samaria the Spirit tells Philip to go south to the desert road that connects Jerusalem and Gaza. This was the main route of travel from Jerusalem to Egypt.
When Philip gets there he notices an Egyptian chariot and inside is a eunuch and court official of the queen of Egypt reading one of the prophets. The Spirit instructs Philip to go and join his chariot and Philip hears him reading scripture and asks the eunuch if he understands what he is reading. His response is; how can I unless someone instructs me? There is good reason for this because the portion of scripture that he was reading comes from Isaiah 53 and many of us know that this chapter speaks about Jesus being crucified, but that is only because we have been instructed by someone. During this time there was much debate over what this portion of scripture was referring to because some said it was describing Israel, while others said it was Isaiah referring to himself, and some said it was about the Messiah. So the eunuch asked Philip to tell him who is the prophet speaking about himself or someone else?
Then Philip beginning with this scripture preached Jesus to him. Isaiah 53 is a clear prophecy of Jesus being crucified and Philip had the opportunity to declare and describe the crucifixion that took place not too many Fridays before their conversation. Now here we are some 2000 years later on a Friday remembering the crucifixion of Jesus. This is a great day to consider exactly what Jesus endured for sinners to be reconciled with God. Do not miss the opportunity today to reflect on the significance of the crucifixion.
(Is 53) 1Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. 3He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. 7He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 8By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? 9His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. 10But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. 11As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. 12Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.
Notice that Jesus death is sufficient to forgive all sinners, yet not all sinners will come to Jesus for forgiveness and to be set free from the penalty and punishment of their sin. For those who have it is truly a Good Friday to know (2 Co 5:21)21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Prayer: Father I give you praise to which no one else deserves. Jesus I praise you for your great love and sacrifice for my sake. You took away my sin, penalty, and punishment which I deserve and gave me in return your righteousness. How could I ever thank you enough? Today I humbly remember all that you did for me. I will take today to ponder the suffering which you endured and bore so that I may have abundant life and fellowship with the Father. Your suffering has brought me joy unspeakable because I experience the Father’s presence through the Holy Spirit who dwells within me, in Jesus name. Amen.