Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 8:30-35
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.
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.
Commentary:
8:30 The Holy Spirit directed Philip to approach the eunuch. People usually read aloud in those days, so Philip was probably aware that the eunuch was reading Isa. 53:7–8. A more appropriate passage could not have been chosen as a witness to Christ, attesting to the Holy Spirit’s leading. The passage cited focuses on the injustice done to Jesus, something that reflects Luke’s presentation of the cross (see Luke 23), as well as the death of Stephen, who followed in his way.
Questions:
- Philip shared the Gospel with the man, but it was God that was working in his heart to prepare him. Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them. 2 Corinthians 4 talks about how those who don't believe are blinded by Satan. We are all born into darkness and that it's God that shines the light into that darkness. HE is the one that opens the eyes of the spiritually blind, but He gives us the honor and privilege of joining Him in that work. When you think about sharing your faith with someone or telling someone about Jesus, what is your attitude? Is it one of dread or fear? Does it feel like a chore? Or are you honored to have the opportunity?
- God PREPARES the SOIL, but you PLANT the SEED. It's up to HIM whether or not the soil is fertile. So the pressure is off! You can't save anyone, convince anyone, you can't be eloquent or persuasive enough. Our job is simply to PRAY and OBEY. We are to pray for open doors and then be obedient by stepping through them. When was the last time you, like Philip, "preached Jesus" to someone? How would your relationships with lost friends and family change if you saw yourself as someone who continually sows seeds?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would realize the privilege of sharing Jesus with someone.
- That you would be a seed sower.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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