Acts 8:39 - And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away and the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.

This devotion pairs with this weekend's Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at LHM.org.

If you have a moment, turn to the book of Acts 8:26-39. And there you'll see the account upon which this devotion is based. We see Philip who gets up and goes with God, following the Spirit. On the road from Jerusalem down to Gaza he goes, an old road in an ancient region that's very much in today's headlines, of course. While Philip is on his way, meanwhile, we meet the second main character, another man simply described as a eunuch, with his entourage on that same road. And both of these men are under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

My friends, Dominic and Cassie tell me that geographic journeys are often a catalyst for what becomes a spiritual pilgrimage. In travel away from our homeland, we may just discover our soul's true home. I like to picture the eunuch riding elegantly in a canopied chariot, reading eloquently his way through the book of Isaiah, until he gets stuck at a particular Scripture passage, repeating it over and over again. Because it seems like it means something deeper, something with a double meaning. It's as if you can hear the rustle of the garment of the Spirit, lurking beneath the words on the page. Who can help me interpret this?

So Philip heard him pondering this image of a lamb: a lamb innocently led to the slaughter. It spoke to the eunuch profoundly—humiliated, denied justice, deprived of life. This was no ordinary lamb, no simple sacrifice. It's got to mean something more. And then Philip opened his mouth and beginning with this Scripture, he told the eunuch the good news about Jesus, about this God who in the words of Peter, a little bit later in the book of Acts, shows no partiality, but accepts people from every nation.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Hallelujah! For the Christ who was once crucified has arisen and is now glorified. Hallelujah! For the mystery that was hidden is now the victory that we've been given. His Name is Jesus and He is living, and we are rejoicing on the way. Hallelujah!

WE PRAY: Almighty God, You have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of Your servant Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, may persevere in running the race that is set before us. Until at last we may with them attain to Your eternal joy. Through Jesus Christ, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. John Nunes.

Reflection Questions:

1. Why do you think the eunuch was singled out, so to speak, to hear the Gospel?

2. Do you think the eunuch spoke the good news to others when he returned to Africa?

3. Have you ever sensed the Spirit prompting you to share the Gospel with someone?

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 52     Psalms 57    Psalms 142    Luke 22:24-46

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