Alex Kremer 08-29-2021 // The Gospel Reaches the Ends of the Earth; Acts 8:25-40

Following the explosion of the Gospel into Samaria, the Lord sends Philip from Samaria to a "chance" encounter on a desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza.  There he came across the entourage of an Ethiopian eunuch, "a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her treasure;" and who had come to Jerusalem to worship.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, Ethiopia, now modern day Sudan, was considered the southern most reaches of the earth.  And here is a wealthy court official, a proselyte to Judaism, returning from a 1,200 to 1,800 mile pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  And as Philip is instructed to approach his chariot, it becomes apparent that he is reading from Isaiah, the prophet, specifically in Isaiah 53, regarding the suffering servant.  We read that beginning with this scripture, Philip preached Jesus to him.

In today's lesson, we see there are no chance encounters with God.  The Lord places us on specific paths at specific times to interact with the people He wants us to encounter.  The question is, do we take full advantage of those opportunities in order to faithfully proclaim the Gospel?

Thank you for listening to today's lesson.  May you be encouraged to share the Gospel wherever you are, and which whomever you meet.  And may you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.