Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 12

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26-40 (NRSV)

We see Philip the Evangelist continue in his witness.  He is led by an angel and encounters an Ethiopian eunuch that worked in the treasury of his queen - a prominent position.  He seems to be a follower of Judaism even though he was a Gentile.  These were known as God-fearers by Jews of that time and were known across the Mediterranean world.

The Ethiopian was studying Isaiah and we see 53:7-8 quoted.  This is a part of the passage of the Suffering Servant motif in Isaiah which Christians often interpret to be Jesus.  The silence of the Suffering Servant can be seen in the questioning of Jesus by Herod.  We see this recorded in Luke 23:9:

"He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer." (NRSV)

Philip then begins to witness to this Gentile about Jesus.

It is interesting that the eunuch said that he had come to Jerusalem to worship and was now returning home.  We are unsure whether or not he was successful in his attempt to worship.

The Hebrew Law was clear on forbidding eunuchs entry into the assembly.

So when he asks Philip, "What is to prevent me from being baptized?" it is a loaded question.

Well, it could be your status as an Ethiopian.  Would Gentiles receive baptism?  We have seen Samaritans receive baptism but they are somewhat related.  Ethiopians are further removed culturally.

It could also be your status as a eunuch.  Their sexual ambiguity made them a target of ridicule in the ancient world.  People were not comfortable with them and did not see them as equals.  His occupation as a court treasurer would confer higher status on him certainly but this might make him even lonelier as other eunuchs would likely not feel high enough in status to associate with him.

Water is cleansing and life giving to all people.
There is good reason we utilize it in baptism.

Philip decided that these things would not prevent his baptism.  This single baptism (and Luke's record of it) opens the body of Christ up to a wider world.  It moves God's grace even beyond the rules recorded in the Hebrew scriptures.  It could have been seen as a subversive act by the Jewish Christians of the day.  It may have been controversial among the apostles.  But it was done and Luke lifts it up as an example of how the church will operate in the world.

As The United Methodist Church debates how we will be in ministry with the LGBTQ+ community, this passage may challenge the church just as it did for the first century Christians.  It seems to remind us that God's love transcends our social boundaries and often pushes us past our comfort zones.  If you think about baptism in your local church, can you imagine your pastor baptizing anyone that would make you uncomfortable?

This would be undoubtedly similar to feelings that early Christians would have had when Philip related what he had done.


Prayer for the day:

God, we give thanks for the gifts you have already given the baptized.
Helps us to welcome them in Christian love.
May we renew our covenant to faithfully participate in the ministries of the Church with them.
Let us be united in our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness
that in everything, you may be glorified in Jesus Christ.  Amen.


Prayer based on the United Methodist baptismal covenant response.

Photo by Javier Morales via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.