The most exciting experiences in our lives happen when we, like Philip, follow the direction of the Holy Spirit.
We may not hear the Holy Spirit as clearly as Philip does here, but the way to know if we're hearing the Holy Spirit is when we know the thought or action is not our own. Said differently, if the thought or action promotes self-gain, this isn't the Holy Spirit. If the thought or action makes us a little nervous, invites us to step a little further out of our comfort zone or calls us to immediately trust God to provide when we know we cannot, then yes, that's the voice of God through the Holy Spirit telling you what you should do!
The direction of the Holy Spirit is always clear, direct and uncluttered. It's usually a "Go and do" action. Seasoned Christians delight when the Holy Spirit speaks because something so good is about to happen on a small or large scale.
In the text we open Sunday, April 28th, we have an interaction. The specifics of this interaction are not yours, of course, but look at the wider picture as we move toward Sunday. Think of times you've been moved by the Holy Spirit in an exchange. What happened to you happens here in this story. There is a gain in the Kingdom. An experience of God (who is action) is shared. Something beautiful happens. Something good comes of this.
I am delighted this scripture aligns with an upcoming baptism this Sunday. The baby being baptized has a great grandfather named Philip, and Philip was an amazing soul who positively influenced and impacted me in my early days of ministry.
The gentle, loving, inviting and life-affirming Holy Spirit will be present to us in worship this Sunday.
And yes, this is exciting.
Acts 8:26-40
New Living Translation
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”
30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter.
And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
33 He was humiliated and received no justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.
36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, let's continue to live Your Good News about Jesus. As we ride along and then come to a place of water this Sunday, remind us of how wonderful the love of Jesus is as we gather to celebrate Your love in us and through us. Amen.
PICTURED: Parents Cody and Alyssa Nolan with their newborn son Rowan Philip Nolan this winter, 2024. Rowan Philip will be baptized this Sunday, April 28, 2024.