Mattew 12:15-21 God's Chosen Servant

Jesus is God’s chosen servant that Isaiah prophesied about (Is.42). The identity of this servant is at times the nation of Israel and at other times the Messiah sent to them. Many see the dual allusion as God’s way of stating his unfulfilled purposes with Israel as a nation requiring the Messiah as the ultimate Israel for its accomplishment. This chosen servant is described as the beloved of God as in Jesus’ baptism (Mat.3:13-17). He is the one upon whom the Spirit of God rests (Luke 4:18) to proclaim justice to the whole world, not just the Jew. This servant will not fight or use violence to get his way. On the contrary, he will suffer violence. People will not pay attention to him. But he will pay attention to the abused and be compassionate towards them. His ultimate purpose is to establish God’s justice upon the earth for all people. He is our only hope.

Jesus is the only hope of humanity to fulfill God’s purposes and plans. The one who was denied justice came to establish God’s justice upon the earth. The one who suffered violence came to establish peace on earth. The one who was bruised until disfigured came to bring healing for our lives. There is within me a sense of justice that wants to right wrongs right away. But the kingdom of God calls me to trust in God’s timing and leave ultimate justice to be executed by his hand. There is no amount of fury and anger that can make things better. And taking justice in my own hands is not going to improve upon things. God does not want any vigilantes in his kingdom! Jesus is our only hope.

In Jesus we have example. This side of heaven, we must not think that violence will establish God’s kingdom any faster. We must be peacemakers and proclaim justice with humility. While the world may not pay attention to us, we must pay attention to the abused and neglected as we are moved by compassion. The call for compassion is not limited to people who look like us, but the whole world. Let’s embrace all people. Let us be reminded that as we labor, we await the full establishment of God’s kingdom upon the earth. There is no one who can do that but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is our hope!

Father, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Grant me patience to see your justice fully established upon the earth. While I wait, teach me to forgive and live in peace in the midst of a violent world filled with injustice.

Acts 8:26-40 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

The Holy Spirit not only empowered Christians to be bold and courageous to speak the Word, but he also guided them on where to go and what to do even in the midst of persecution. In the efforts to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, God uses even angels to guide his people. Philip is a perfect example of a follower of Christ who was obedient to such guidance. He was told to take a road that led to a desert place and yet Philip obeyed and went. He did not question why would God lead him to a desert place. If the goal was to preach to as many people as possible, why go to the desert? The city is a better choice! Am I open to God's guidance in whatever form it may come? Am I willing to obey even when I don't understand clearly why? If I am going to be effective in the proclamation of the Gospel in this world I must not only understand the message, but I must be obedient to God's directions on where to take the message as well.

Philip's obedience brings him in contact with an Ethiopian eunuch, a very important and influential Treasurer for queen Candace. A eunuch is a castrated man chosen to work in very influential positions in a kingdom. Castration was a means to ensure that the person would not have any family taking away any personal interests or ulterior motives to serve a king or queen. What an opportunity to bring the Word to someone so influential in his time. This was a divine appointment. If I receive and obey God's guidance, I will have divine appointments to share the good news of the Gospel. Am I sensitive enough to perceive God's guidance day by day? I can't obey what I can't hear.

Philip came along side the eunuch's chariot and befriended him before he was invited to get in the chariot to speak the Word. The Ethiopian eunuch confessed that he needed guidance in order to understand what he was reading, but he didn't have someone to help him. The proclamation of the Gospel takes place when a person with a need to understand is met by a person with a desire to explain. Philip's obedience brought him in contact with someone in need, but he first comes alongside and waits for an invitation. Like Philip, I must seize the opportunity of an encounter by coming alongside and showing a genuine interest to help. Only then will I be invited to share the good news. The old saying applies here: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." (Don Swartz)

When the eunuch invited Philip to enter the chariot, he was in for the ride of his life. The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 and he was wondering who was the prophet talking about. Philip begins with this passage and told him the good news about Jesus leading him to believe and even make a commitment to baptism. Divine appointments require that I be ready to explain the Scriptures leading to the good news of Jesus. If I don't study the Scriptures, how can I lead those who are hungry to understand it? My effectiveness as a witness in the world depends on my ability to convey God's message as it is written in the Scriptures. Do I read the Bible? Do I take time to study it? Do I meditate on it day and night?

Father, make me an obedient messenger of your Word. Help me perceive your guidance in the midst of a noisy world. Empower me to intentionally befriend those who are seeking to understand your Word. Grant me great understanding of your Word and the ability to explain it to others. Amen.