May 26 - Do You Understand What You are Reading?

Acts 8:26-35

Today we read about Phillip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. “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.” All indications are that he was reading from Isaiah 53, a wonderful prophecy about Jesus.
Phillip asks this man a key question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” And… Phillip goes on to explain the scripture including the gospel message. The eunuch believes and is baptized (Acts 8:36-38).

In my last Bible Blast I wrote about being able to share our faith. Paul gave an example by sharing his faith with the people of Athens in Acts 17:16-29. Now we are looking at the same topic.

This is an area where I have lots of room for improvement. I tend to think that most people have heard the gospel message and there is no need for me to share it. That is not true. Some quick research indicates that approximately 35% of the people in Franklin County identify themselves as Christian. That means that even if all of the 35% are truly believers, roughly two out of every three people that we encounter in Franklin County don’t know Jesus. Certainly some have heard the gospel and have not yet believed, but just as certainly a significant number of people have simply never heard – or like the Ethiopian, never understood.

Today’s reading and some other scripture verses provide some guidance when it comes to sharing our faith. Paul sets an example of sharing our faith in simple terms: 1 Corinthians 2:1 -2 “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Peter asks that we share our faith with gentleness and respect: 1 Peter 3:15 “ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” And now Phillip demonstrates that a familiarity with God’s Word is helpful when people are searching for truth but do not understand: Acts 8:30 “ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.”

These examples from scripture provide some good “food for thought” as we encounter people in our daily lives. Sharing our faith in simple terms, doing so with gentleness and respect, and studying God’s Word are all practices that we can put into good use!