WATCHWORD:
4 But the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus! 5 Philip, for instance, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about Christ. 6 Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed, 8 so there was much joy in that city! 9-11 A man named Simon had formerly been a sorcerer there for many years; he was a very influential, proud man because of the amazing things he could do—in fact, the Samaritan people often spoke of him as the Messiah. 12 But now they believed Philip’s message that Jesus was the Messiah, and his words concerning the Kingdom of God; and many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized and began following Philip wherever he went, and was amazed by the miracles he did. Acts 8:4-13
Meditation:
Who Was Philip? Part I
Yes, who was Philip. A disciple. True, but who was he, really? What do we know about him? Are we like Philip in our walk with Christ?
One thing we know about Philip is that he was the first to hear the words from Jesus, “Come, follow me” – and he did. Not only that, but, it affected him so profoundly that he immediately went to his friend Nathanael, or Bartholomew, telling him that “we have found him of whom Moses and the prophets had spoken”. Nathanael was skeptical, but Philip did not argue with him, he simply said, “Come and see.” This declaration prompted Nathanael to seek out Jesus, who, when he saw him approach, called him “An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile” (John 1:47). Philip and Nathanael were among the original twelve apostles.
But we are wondering who Philip was. So, here is a point that may relate to that. When Jesus extended the invitation to “Come, follow me” it touched Philip so that he had to share this revelation with his friend. There was a time in our Christian walk when we responded to Jesus’ invitation. For some, it was a magnificent “born again” experience, a radical change that is almost too big not to share with others.
For others, the transformation may have been, well, unremarkable. Maybe you were brought up in a deeply Christian home with parents that modeled the life of Christ. Still, there was a change, from you accepting the faith of your parents, to a personal faith in the Lord, and your life was transformed.
Alright, so, was there a time when you felt so powerfully about your relationship with Jesus that you just had to tell others? Was there a time when you had to reach out, find a friend or just an acquaintance, and share the Good News about Christ?
No. Really? Think about it. Maybe it was just something that happened to you, a happy turn of events that resulted in your changing your mind for the good, or in reaching out and helping another. So, you told someone about the experience. Maybe it was a beautiful story you heard with a moral that touched you, and you shared. Maybe it was the witness heard from another, and you passed that on to still another. Maybe you witnessed a loving exchange between father and daughter, or a tearful reunion, beautiful, and filled with love. Possibly, much later, you called these images to mind and shared the experience with another. Passing on the work of God, planting seeds, truly making disciples.
We never know when the words we speak, or write, will act as seeds, and result in growth in faith. Yes, we are doing as Phillip did, a good and faithful servant. Our hands and voices, our passing it on, with Jesus, within, leading us. Amen.
Funny Revisited:
A farmer was showing his visiting city-dwelling friend around his farm. “Watch this!” he said. He gave a whistle and his little dog came running from the house, herded the cattle into the corral, then latched the gate with her paw. “Wow, that’s some dog — what’s her name?” The forgetful farmer thought for a minute and then asked, “What do you call that red flower that smells good and has thorns on the stem?” “A rose?” “That’s it!” The farmer turned to his wife. “Hey Rose, what do we call this dog of ours?”
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we have been yours since that moment we first surrendered to you. Each day we seek to follow your image in the lives that we live. In our interaction with others help us to pay more attention to what is being said and how it’s being and to raise a question with you, Lord, how do I respond? We seek to do your will in all things, Lord, but when someone is hurting and I’m aware, grant me the motivation to step up, reach out to them, if only for a hug, a short visit. There are times, Lord, I simply don’t quite know how to respond, nudge me to ask what you would you have me do? You have given us so many wonderful clues and we can hear your words, but we need strength and courage to take that first step. That is when I must lean on you. You are my Lord and Savior, and it is in your name that I offer these prayers. Amen.
