EmmDev 2021-10-22 [UPCSA Month of Mission 2021] How does Philip work with the Eunuch?

How does Philip work with the Eunuch?

(This week we are looking at Evangelistic Approaches: How did Jesus, Philip and Paul treat people?)

In this passage we meet Philip, not as well-known as the other disciples, but here he is, nonetheless. Philip heard God telling him, "Go south to the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza" (Acts 8:26). 

This was an unfamiliar territory that Philip was being charged to. The Message Edition of the Bible refers to this road as the "desolate road," whilst others speak of a "wilderness road." 

At some levels of our own experiences, we have been on such a road. We have found ourselves here when the GPS momentarily takes a break and sends us down some obscure road that takes us further and further away from our actual destination. When we were meant to take a right, instead we took a left. This desolate or wilderness road is not just the road itself that makes it feel desolate, but it is what you find on this road. Uncertainty. Unfamiliarity. As well as being unprepared. 

On this unfamiliar road Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch. Most definitely a strange sight for any Israelite. Eunuchs are tough subject matter for a sermon. This is a man whose body was mutilated in such a way that he could be trusted as a slave, especially around royal women, because there was no chance of any illicit behaviour. 

We are told that the eunuch was reading the prophet Isaiah when Philip found him. It is amazing to note that within God's unfolding story of love, grace, and justice, God chooses surprising characters to move the plot along. God often employs the most unlikely people to be part of the story. 

Here, we find an official, the treasurer of the Candace, the queen of Ethiopia, riding in a chariot and reading aloud from the book (or scroll) of Isaiah. This man was  highly educated, intellectually curious and spiritually hungry. Philip on God's instruction met this man on a desolate road. Because God is about to do something that He loves to do and calls God's people to transgress boundaries, go where no one expects God to go, and show up where no one expects God to be. 

It's amazing that Philip unquestionably listened to the voice of God. God led him on an unfamiliar road, to an unfamiliar person to lead him to Christ. When the Spirit of God is at work, everything else makes sense. Philip was able to seize the opportunity to present the good news about Jesus from Isaiah 53. That became a joyous occasion not only for the Ethiopian but also for Philip, who was willing and able to be of service to Christ.

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."  Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,     and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,     so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.     Who can speak of his descendants?     For his life was taken from the earth." The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. (Acts8:26-39)

Rev Gavin Vaaltyn minsters at St John's Presbyterian Church as well as being Moderator of the Highveld Presbytery. He is married to Jocelyn; they have two children and 2 grandsons, who are very supportive of his ministry.

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